Over-50s Brits more relaxed about infidelity than youngsters

However, people aged over 50 were far less likely to worry about it or see it as a reason to split up.

The surveyors found that only 36 per cent of the over-50s regretted being unfaithful, compared to 52 per cent of the younger group doing so.

While half of the under 50s said that they would break up with their partners for cheating, only a quarter of over-50s said so.

The over-50s surveyed were also twice as likely to forgive their unfaithful partners as the under-50 respondents, reports Times Online.

However, total forgiveness was rare among all ages, with only eight per cent of the older group and four per cent of the younger people saying that they would be able to follow the example of Pauline Prescott, wife of the former Deputy Prime Minister, and pardon an unfaithful partner.

The poll, of 2,000 adults, was conducted by Opinium Research for Saga.