THE region's economic plight is behind figures showing the North-East has some of the worst divorce rates in the country, according to experts.

County Durham is the seventh worst county in the country for break-ups, with 36 out of every 10,000 people suffering a marital breakdown every year.

Couples in Tyne and Wear are three places behind with 34, while Cleveland appears mid-table in the divorce league with 28 out every 10,000 legally separating.

Marital experts were also surprised to learn that Northumbria is the healthiest county in the country for relationships with a figure of only 12.

Alison Dorman, marketing and development executive for marriage-guidance organisation Relate's regional headquarters in Middlesbrough, said socio-economic reasons were behind the gloomy statistics.

She said: "We have three of the most deprived areas in the whole of Britain - Easington, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool - so these figures are not that shocking.

"Also, a lot of people from rural areas are on very low incomes and are often isolated, which puts severe strains on a relationship.

"A lot of people come to us with a big lack of communication between them - this is especially common if people have lost their job, or have money problems.

"Another problem, common all over the country, is that both parents working can strain a marriage."

Rural Dorset had the highest divorce rate with 50 people per 10,000 splitting up last year.

Ms Dorman said: "Another problem in the North-East is that many couples, and men in particular, are loath to go and see a counsellor because they are too 'macho'.

Anyone interested in talking to a Relate counsellor can contact them on 0800 9805907.