How close to your partner do you sleep? New research suggests this may reveal important information about your relationship.

UK scientists asked 1,000 people to describe their favourite sleeping position. The participants were also asked about the quality of their relationship and their personality.

The study revealed that just 4% of couples spend the night facing each other, with 42% sleeping back to back and 31% facing the same direction.

Some 12% of couples sleep less than an inch apart, while 2% sleep more than 30 inches apart.

The scientists noted that the further apart a couple slept, the worse their relationship appeared to be. Some 86% of those who slept less than an inch apart from their partner said they were happy in their relationship, compared to 66% of those who slept more than 30 inches apart.

"One of the most important differences involved touching - 94% of couples who spent the night in contact with one another were happy with their relationship, compared to just 68% of those that didn't touch," noted Prof Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire.

The study also found that extroverts tended to sleep closer to their partners.

The research was carried out at the Edinburgh International Science Festival.