FORGET Paris - a Gwent town has been named as one of the best places in Britain for romantic couples to live happily ever after.

According to a new UK- wide survey by consumer group Claritas, Caldicot has the sixth lowest divorce and separation rate in the country.

Only 9.5% of people in the town that likes to think of itself as a village have split up compared to a national average of 15.4%.

Residents say the town's relaxed atmosphere has made it the Welsh capital of happy marriages.

Landlord of Ye Olde Tippling Philosopher John Rice had some bar room philosophy of his own on the subject. Mr Rice, 30, said: "I've been married to Suzanne for 10 years and I'm very happy.

"I'm a bit surprised that Caldicot has such a low divorce rate, but it is an easy-going place where everyone knows each other so maybe that stops too much tension building up. "The secret of a happy marriage is communication, you should always tell your partner how you're feeling."

Graham Barker, 50, a factory maintenance worker, has lived in Caldicot for all 27 years of his married life. Mr Barker said: "I'm not sure why the place has so many successful marriages, it's probably mostly luck.

"But it is a friendly place with lots of pubs and social activity, maybe that all helps. I think a happy marriage is something both people have to work at.

"You have your ups and downs but you have to talk and work things out if you want to it to work.

"I think Jenny and I have similar characters, we're on a level, especially about things like money."

Shopworker Andrew Joel, 45, who has been married for seven years said: "I'm very happily married and happy here so maybe that's the connection.

"I'm from Liverpool originally and maybe Caldicot being smaller has fewer temptations than a bigger place like there."

Given that Merseyside's Birkenhead came bottom of the league in the consumer information company Claritas survey with a 28.8% divorce rate maybe Mr Joel is on to something.