A new study has indicated that spinsters over 60 are happier and healthier than their male counterparts. The study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, looked at the growing social and health implications of people living alone.

The study found that the senior singletons rated their lives as more healthy when they were not living with a husband, but the reverse is true of men.

According to the researchers, one reason for this feeling of health and happiness is that the women are relieved to be free of having to provide 24-hour care for elderly husbands more likely to be in poorer health than they are.

They might also not miss the physical closeness of a sexual relationship as much as men the same age, they added.

According to the 2001 census, the number of people over 60 is far more than that of children, and there has been an increase in older men and women living without a spouse and a decline in those living with children or relatives.

The study found that men living with a relative or friend were less likely to be happy or satisfied with life than those living with a wife. In most regions of Europe older unmarried women were happier and satisfied living with friends and family than alone.

In England, older women rated their health better if they lived alone rather than with a husband. However, men and women living alone had a higher mortality risk than those with a spouse.