The New Year marks a time for change and for thousands of women it marks a time for self-renovation. However in 2015, there has been an unusual growing trend for over 3,500 women across the UK – their New Year’s Resolution is to have an affair!

Research from extra-marital dating site IllicitEncounters.com shows that more and more women are seeking affairs online as a means for self-improvement. Since the beginning of January, the site has gained over 3,500 female members - a record in the site's 11 year history.

These new female members are looking for short, passionate love affairs, which they hope will restore their self-worth and put their marriage or long-term relationship into perspective.

Spokesperson for IllicitEncounters.com Claire Page said, "There has been a clear change in attitudes toward adultery in the last few years, but 2015 indicates something much bigger.

"Women are coming to us with more awareness about their needs than ever before. From their profiles, you can see that our new ladies are looking for something more than just a quick fumble - they are looking for fulfillment, they expect something life-altering."

Claire said that celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow showing understanding towards people having affairs, rather than just condemning them, is part of a large change in society, in thinking an affair can be beneficial. 

Tiffany, 39, from West London, has been a member of the site for just over a week, "My decision to join was made out of frustration. Over Christmas, I spent over 3 weeks confined with my husband, who, after 12 years of marriage, only pays attention to me if I block his view of the television. I want to feel young and sexy again, I want to feel like a better woman. As my partner has made it clear he is incapable of helping me out, I have employed a more drastic measure."

IllicitEncounters.com have taken on extra staff to deal with the record number of new sign-ups received in the last month, and now have nearly one million members across the UK.