THE perfect relationship for couples in York consists of a four year age gap, six kisses every day and saying those three little words several times each day, according to a survey.

Lovers from York are also some of the most romantic in the country, as a third of people –the highest rate in the UK – say ‘I love you’ over ten times a week to their partner and believe this is one of the most important factors in a long lasting partnership.

Good conversation, taking turns to cook and the same taste in films also came out on top.

The profile of what constitutes a perfect relationship has been commissioned by the Two Together Railcard, which provides discounts on rail travel for two people travelling together. Over 2,000 people across the UK responded with their ‘key’ to the perfect relationship.

The survey also found that over three quarters of adults in York said that for a relationship to be perfect the couple didn’t necessarily have to be married.

Andrew Robertson, for the Two Together Railcard, said: “It’s refreshing that today’s perfect relationship is based on simple things such as meals out, travelling together to new places, daily kisses and telling each other ‘I love you’ before going to sleep.

“It was also refreshing that the research shows you don’t have to be married to be in a perfect relationship.”

On the downside – bad driving, leaving dirty clothes on the floor, over spending on the monthly budget and lack of washing up were all listed as things that irritate us most about our partners.