ACTRESS Kate Winslet is separating from her North Yorkshire husband Jim Threapleton - after less than three years of marriage.

The split is understood to be the culmination of weeks of argument between the couple, although Winslet's spokesman, Robert Garlock, said it was an "amicable and respectful separation."

He said no one else was involved, and the couple's baby, Mia, would remain the first priority for both of them.

Jim, the 27-year-old son of Edward and Louise Threapleton, of Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, was married to Kate in November 1998.

They enjoyed a down-to-earth honeymoon in North Yorkshire, staying for a few nights in Wensleydale before heading for Scotland.

Jim's Yorkshire relatives were delighted last year when the star of the hit move Titanic became pregnant.

Mia, born less than 11 months ago, was to be the first great-grandchild for Jim's grandparents, Marjorie and Esmond Haskey, of Wetherby. Mrs Haskey declined to comment today on the couple's separation.

RAF officer Edward Threapleton and his wife, Louise, were unavailable for comment. Kate married Jim after meeting him as third assistant director on the set of Hideous Kinky, where she "fell in love at first sight" with a "glorious-looking boy".

She recently told In Style magazine how having a baby had "strengthened the relationship although there are highs and lows and at times it's tough."

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, September 04, 2001