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More British women than ever are paying for sexual services because they are too busy for conventional relationships, new research claims.

And some women want more for their money than just straight sex and are prepared to pay for the companionship of men, as well as their time in the bedroom.

A new academic study has been launched into women who buy sexual services.

Researchers have spoken to male and female escorts in the UK who are paid for their sexual services.

The study, led by principal investigator Dr Sarah Kingston, of Lancaster University, and co-led by Dr Natalie Hammond at Manchester Metropolitan University, promises to be the most in-depth analysis of the subject ever undertaken in the UK.

Its early findings reveal that women who pay for sex come from all backgrounds and ages, although there are a high number of women in their thirties and forties.

(Image: Getty)

Escorts indicate that some of their female clientele don't want or have the time for relationships.

However, researchers have also found that some women pay for sexual services whilst in a relationship, for excitement and to spice up their love lives with existing partners.

She said that the rise in escorts advertising for sexual services online also shows busy career women are increasingly using their phones and the internet to access sexual services.

The study showed that there were 5,246 male escort profiles and 11,056 female escort profiles in 2010, compared to the 15,732 male profiles and 28,614 female now.

That means the market for male escorts has tripled in the last five years, while female escorts have increased two-and-a-half fold.

(Image: Getty)

Dr Kingston, a Lecturer in Criminology at Lancaster University, is an expert on the sex industry, policy and law.

She said: "We are seeking to explore the motivations and experiences of women who book escorts; who and where they buy sex from and how physical and sexual safety is ensured.

"The study involves interviewing men, women and transgender people who sell sexual services to women, as well as women who purchase sexual services.

"Our participants say most of the women who buy sex are professional people, some of whom may simply want pleasurable sexual experiences.

"Paying an escort is described as a way of ensuring discretion, as opposed to other ways of securing sexual encounters. Some female clients also seem to not want or have the time for a 'conventional' relationship."

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"Some women also pay for more than just sexual intercourse," the doctor continued. "They might go for a drink or meal with their chosen escort and want a massage before progressing onto sexual contact - which escorts describe as the 'boyfriend experience'.

"It is also evident that women purchase sexual services as part of a couple. The majority of the escorts interviewed see couples, stating they are booked for regular excitement and fun, or simply for a relationship treat.

"In couples, some men appeared more nervous than their female partner."

Anyone who wants to take part in the research can contact the study team by visiting www.womenwhobuysex.org, or by emailings.kingston@lancaster.ac.uk, or Scarlett Redman, Research Associate,s.redman@lancaster.ac.uk.