Why a kiss between lovers is full of excitement, but boring between long term partners

Just one in four married couples or people with long-term partners kiss during sex, new figures claim.

In the early stages of a relationship - or when people are having an affair - kissing is still popular.

But people who have been together for longer are much less likely to kiss.

Yet an overwhelming majority also believe kissing is both sexy and a turn on said the survey of 4,500 adults by the dating website Victoria Milan.

It found 25 per cent of those in a long term relationship admit to kissing each other during sex compared to 79 per cent having an affair or a fling.

More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) thought kissing was still important in a relationship and 92 per cent found it as seductive and erotic as any other bedroom tactic.

Founder Sigurd Vedal said: "Kisses, fuelled by adrenaline, lust and passion, can more erotic than actually going to bed with someone, according to our very experienced members.

"A kiss between long-term partners is a habit, often devoid of much emotion. A kiss between lovers is full of excitement and feeling."