More than one in four men admit to avoiding the marital bed, choosing instead to indulge their craving for games consoles, internet surfing and late night DVDs.

The revelation, from leading consumer electronics magazine Stuff, confirms many wives are now widowed by a gadget rather than by a love rival.

Stuff commissioned pollsters NOP to quiz 952 people up and down the country about their consumer electronics use. A massive one in four (26) admitted they stayed up later than their partner to indulge their gadget addiction.

One third (33) of British men confess they have more fun with their gadgets than their wife or partner. Twenty two per cent of wives said they didn't understand their partner's 'love affair' with gadgets. A massive forty per cent of wives admit they come in second place to the games console, computer or DVD player.

The average man will spend up to two hours playing with gadgets rather than slipping up to bed with his wife or girlfriend. One in ten (9) will spend up to four hours avoiding the marital bed.

Stuff publishing manager Eddie Johnson commented: "Our research reveals many men put gadgets at the very heart of their lives and often put their wives or girlfriends second.

"This is a clearly a reaction to the Sex and the City revolution. Women have become obsessed with their own gadgets and toys - now men are fighting back with a harmless love affair with consumer electronics."

Stuff last week posted its sixth consecutive increase circulation; its best ever selling magazines was the Top Fifty Gadgets of All Time issue.

Eddie Johnson added: "Stuff has become Vogue for blokes as we satisfy their desire for the latest news and reviews. The British male browses for the latest consumer electronics and splashes out - just as his wife or partner would buy a new pair of shoes.

"I think this wholesome and safe affair with the gadget is far better than any other form of infidelity - at least wives and girlfriends know exactly where their fella is, even if they don't know exactly what he's doing."