Study says one in three single girls has used a male 'friend with benefits' for sex

One in three single girls has used a man for 'friend with benefits' sex, a poll has found.

Half of the women who have a no-strings relationship with a male friend do so because they don't want a serious relationship, the study found.

Experts believe the rise in popularity of having a 'friend with benefits' has come about as women are more laid-back about relationships.

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Nineteen per cent of those who have friends with benefits get into bed with a male friend 'to have fun', while just eight per cent do so hoping the fling might develop into something more serious.

The 2,168 women polled by MyCelebrityFashion.co.uk were asked to specify the kind of relationships they have with their male friends.

Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) said men were 'just friends', while over a third (34 per cent) admitted they had 'friends with benefits'.

Ex-boyfriends accounted for 29 per cent, while 23 per cent had male friends who were colleagues.

Around one in five women said their best friend was a man.

Andy Barr of MyCelebrityFashion.co.uk, which held the poll, said: 'The idea of 'friends with benefits' is growing in popularity. 

'Perhaps people shouldn't automatically think all women want to settle down right away and have a serious relationship.'