THE number of people looking for an affair in Blackburn and Burnley has increased since last year.

Blackburn came 57th in a list which saw nearby neighbour Burnley ranked 104th for the number of adults having an affair.

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Figures suggested 1,013 people were currently cheating on their partner in Blackburn compared to 984 last year while in Burnley 446 adulterers currently live in the area.

Here's how other East Lancashire town's fared: 

Blackburn - 1013

Accrington - 889

Haslingden - 684

Barrowford - 633

Padiham - 543

Burnley - 446

Darwen - 446

Clitheroe - 414

Colne - 354

Great Harwood - 293

Barnoldswick - 210

Psychologist Lucy Redford blames the popularity of marital affairs on feelings of frustration, isolation and loneliness.

She said: “There are many reasons people have affairs in small towns.

“Discretion is usually the main priority in extra-marital affairs.

“If secrecy wasn’t important, the individual would seek a divorce before the affair.

“Often, when passion has left a relationship, but people don’t want to fracture their home status or disrupt the family unit, and they’re not willing to compromise their sex lives, an affair becomes tempting.”

The 'infidelity index' was compiled by the website Illicit Encounters.