The ages when you – AND your partner – are more likely to cheat…

It seems that for those of us in a relationship, the last year of every decade in our lives is a major danger-zone when it comes to cheating.

So if you’re 19, or 29 – or more importantly if your partner is – you may want to take heed.

That and the most dangerous age of all for straying is… 39.

The results come from a study of 1,000 people by the somewhat controversial IllicitEncounters.com, a dating website for married people which says it has more than 70,000 Irish members.

It has now revealed it has 18 percent more Irish profiles in years ending in nine than for other years in the decade – suggesting the looming presence of another decade causes concern for some.

IllicitEncounters.com said in a statement today: "Beware of the figure nine – it is the danger age as far affairs are concerned.

"This is applicable to men and women. Both go looking for affairs when they are on the verge of entering a new decade.

"IllicitEncounters.com research shows that some people cheat to get their partner’s attention. If their partner’s a workaholic or unavailable to them, being caught with someone else is a way of saying: ‘Hey, if you love me, pay attention to me!'

"‘Payback cheating’ is also common. If you’ve cheated in the past or done something else to hurt your partner, they might retaliate to get even."

The website added that it sees its subscriptions rise by 25 percent over the summer months.