DORSET’S ‘cheating capital’ has been revealed… and it might just surprise you.

Christchurch is the most adulterous town in the county, according to research compiled by Illicitencounters.com, a dating site for married people.

Data shows 1,060 people are reportedly cheating on their husband or wife – which is up 70 per cent on last year’s figure of 622.

This apparently means 2.4 per cent of the town’s adult population are having extramarital affairs which is around one in 25 people.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth has seen a fall in the number of people having affairs, it’s been claimed.

Latest data showed 409 Bournemouth residents are allegedly having affairs, which is down from 889 last year.

The interactive ‘Infidelity Index’ allows users to search a city, town or postcode to discover how many people are having affairs in any locality.

Figures for other Dorset locations include:

  • Weymouth - 869 'cheats', up from 502 last year
  • Blandford Forum - 693 'cheats', up from 657 last year
  • Poole - 952 'cheats', up from 901 last year
  • Dorchester - 693 'cheats', up from 641 last year
  • Bridport - 368 'cheats', up from 341 last year
  • Shaftesbury - 330 'cheats', up from 312 last year
  • Gillingham - 269 'cheats', up from 249 last year
  • Lyme Regis - 111 'cheats', up from 100 last year

IllicitEncounters.com spokeswoman Jessica Leoni said: “We have seen a big fall in affairs in Bournemouth over the last year.

“That fall is down to the fact that the town has an elderly population.

“But there have been big rises in affairs throughout many towns in Dorset.

“The cost of living crisis has been a huge factor in boosting the numbers of affairs.”

Ms Leoni said cheaters may be “making up for lost time” following two years of Covid restrictions.