Dumped by text or email

Like Britney Spears, when it comes to ending relationships, some people choose to hide behind technology by using texts or email to dump their partner.

The study, carried out by price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, shows texts and emails have become a common way to finish with a partner with one in seven (15 per cent) being dumped in this way. Scots are the most horrified by this method, with only five per cent believing it is acceptable.

Other drastic measures to end a relationship include moving home (two per cent) and ignoring all communications from a partner (four per cent).

The results show people don’t just hide behind a monitor or mobile, as 28 per cent of Brits would consider using the telephone – with 39 per cent of time-poor doctors and nurses liking this form of communication.

Surprisingly, a quarter of the iPod generation (18 to 24 year olds) would opt for a more traditional form of communication – writing a letter – to give someone the elbow.

Rob Barnes, head of mobiles and broadband at moneysupermarket.com, said: "We are starting to see a shift in the way Brits end relationships. Most of us send emails and texts everyday, so it comes as no surprise they are now being used to ditch someone – however distasteful this is.

"The results show one per cent of the population would use a social networking site to dump a partner. It would be interesting to see how this changes as sites such as Facebook and MySpace become more apparent in our everyday lives.

"Who knows what will be next? Will people consider leaving the country or perhaps sending a USB stick with a message on?"