Playing away from home used to be a case of one affair conducted in secret.

But technology means one is no longer enough - and lawyers say an increasing number of divorce cases involve partners embroiled with as many as five others.

Such clandestine trysts can be mostly or entirely conducted online with flirty text messages, Facebook posts or even LinkedIn messages proving many an adulterer's downfall.

Multiple law firms say they have seen a rising number of such cases, with one firm's cases rising from less than 50 a year to 65 over five years.

Abigail Lowther, associate solicitor with Hall Brown Family Law, which provided the figures, said that some of her female clients discovered that their other halves had had more than five flings.

She said that infidelity was "skyrocketing" compared to other types of divorce-related behaviour.

“Some women complained about technology quite literally putting temptation at their partners’ fingertips, providing them with opportunities to establish and maintain extra-marital relationships via social media and dating websites even while they are in the same room.

“Others remarked on how an improving economy had required their spouses to spend more time on business - either with colleagues or clients - with those business dealings leading to infidelity," she said.