While trust

While trust, a similar sense of humour and honesty are judged the three most important factors in a relationship, a few other elements are essential for long-lasting love. 

According to a new survey in which British couples were asked to spill the beans on what they feel are the secrets to a happy marriage, having two cars, his and hers toilets and televisions all got the vote. 

Interestingly having regular sex only came in 20th on the list of 50 marriage tips, from a poll of 2,000 couples to mark the launch of a new book, How to Seduce Your Wife (or Anyone Else's). 

The book's author Andy Gibney said: 'Trust, compromise and honesty are generally regarded as the most important things in a marriage but for most people, it's not that simple. 

In the modern world, marriages are having to survive against a host of new technology with many couple falling out over what to watch on the TV or one or both of you spending too much time focusing on your computers, tablets or mobile phones.  

'Romance is also an important factor, whether this is a surprise gift, a date night or simply some quality time together. 

'After being married for a while, it's easy to find you are stuck in a rut and not really paying each other any attention, but hopefully some of these 'secrets' will be helpful.' 
 SECRETS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE

1. Trusting each other

2. Same sense of humour

3. Always being honest with each other

4. Remember birthdays and anniversaries

5. Accepting each other's faults

6. Compromising

7. Saying 'I love you' regularly

8. Knowing when to say sorry

9. Being able to laugh at each other