Almost seven out of 10 British adults live by themselves

Almost seven out of 10 adults live by themselves, a survey reveals.

It found Britain is an increasingly lonely place where the typical suburban family appears to be disappearing. The number of over-18s living on their own soared by a quarter between 1996 and 2006 to hit two-thirds.

The study also revealed seven out of 10 parents are bringing up children on their own. Garry Skelton, of pollster Legal and General, said: "The traditional household is no longer the norm.

"The growing number of single-occupancy homes, single-parent families and house-shares means the 2.4 typical family, the once accepted symbol of suburban Britain, is no longer the average household."

The Changing Face of British Homes polled almost 30,000 adults.

It found nine out of 10 feel communities have changed beyond recognition - with pub closures and the disappearance of the milkman among the most notable differences.