Marriage guidance counselling organisation Relate is blaming the internet as "a significant factor" behind marriage break-ups.

Angela Sibson, Relate's chief executive, said the organisation has been flooded with couples who are suffering from internet-related problems.

She said this is because the internet provides the opportunity to meet other people and easy access to pornography, which is a cause of friction in some relationships.

"One in 10 of the people who receive marriage guidance from Relate each year now blame the internet for their problems.

"It is yet another potential threat to relationships, on top of existing threats such as long working hours," said Sibson.

The highest use of the internet was among people aged 25 to 35 which is the peak time for people's first serious relationship to break up, and it is also the age when many people first get married, she said.

But the organisation is adopting a 'beat them by joining them' attitude and is to offer an email-based service within two months, so couples will be able to receive online relationship advice from counsellors.

"Not everybody will find it easy to go from sitting at home and thinking something is not right with their relationship, to sitting in a room with a counsellor every week," said Sibson.

"Seeking advice by email might be a precursor to face-to-face counselling, or it might be sufficient of itself."