SPIRALLING property prices and rising personal debt are spawning a new breed of "money over love" couples who stay together to protect their lifestyles.

Darlington law firm Latimer Hinks says more couples are staying together solely to protect their standard of living.

Lawyer Judith Middleton said: "With two incomes, a couple can usually afford a better standard of living, with a bigger house, newer car and foreign holidays.

"They can also afford to pay large credit card bills or hire purchase more easily.

"However, if the relationship breaks down, many people are faced with downgrading their whole lifestyle to take into account the loss of one income."

"It has been claimed recently that as many as one in 20 couples are staying together because they can't afford to split up.

"While property prices are so high, it is difficult for a single person to maintain the level of mortgage needed to buy a new house or if there are large amounts of equity in the property it makes it difficult to be able to afford to buy a partner out."

"For those who do decide to make the break, it is very important that their finances are in the best possible order so they can make the most of what money and assets they have."

She said pre-nuptial agreements were one way of splitting assets fairly, but also living together agreements could be drawn up for co-habiting couples.

Ms Middleton said: "The decision facing some modern couples is either staying together, or possibly sharing a house, for the sake of the lifestyle or leaving the relationship for what may be a happier, but poorer future."