UNMARRIED couples who live together are being urged to find out about their rights should their relationship end or one partner dies.

The advice comes after figures published from the 2001 Census showed that the number of cohabiting adults in Bolton had almost doubled since 1991.

More than 50 per cent of the population, aged between 25 and 35, now live with a partner without being married, but according to Elizabeth Hassall, partner at Hill Dickinson, this is creating a growing problem as many are unaware of their rights.

Ms Hassall said: "Living together long-term does not constitute 'common law' marriage -- an urban myth -- and all the perks that that entails.

The facts are that even if a couple have been cohabiting for a number of years, in the event of a break-up there is no legal division of assets, and if one partner dies the surviving partner will not automatically inherit from the other." There is currently no recognised legal state for cohabitees.

Lawyers are seeing a significant increase in the number of cases they deal with from distraught individuals following a break-up or death of a partner. Cases in the North-west have reached record levels.

Ms Hassall added: "The "honeymoon" period of a relationship makes it easy to ignore the harsh financial realities of life, but drawing up a cohabitation agreement can help couples avoid any unnecessary heartache later on."