Relationship experts at Bradford Relate have revealed that they are recruiting more sex therapists to deal with demand following the runaway success of erotic novel Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Sue Makin, sex therapist and counsellor with the charity, says the addition of two, possibly three, new psychosexual therapists within the next few months will enable them to help more couples with their relationship issues.

The popularity of Fifty Shades Of Grey, part of a trilogy by English author, EL James, is a sign that women are becoming more assertive and interested in their sexual needs, she said.

Sue also believes the book enables people to discuss sex more openly.

“Even though the relationship in the book appears unusual it has the common features in early relationships such as consent, compromise, intimacy, anger and happiness,” Sue said.

According to Sue, addressing sexual issues can lead to better relationships. “Most people have difficulties from time to time in their sex life and nipping these in the bud, with the support of one of our friendly and expert therapists, might be just what they need,” she said.

“If we can enable people to be close and intimate they can get through these problems together.”

The recent Sexcensus 2012 - a collaboration between Relate and Ann Summers – found 56 per cent of couples think their sex lives are good while one in three say they aren’t sure.

Ninety two per cent of men and 90 per cent of women believe you have to work at your sex life, while 55 per cent of the 20,000-plus respondents who participated in the survey – understood to be the biggest of its kind – describe themselves as ‘very open’ when talking about sex to a partner.

Ten per cent of people within a relationship said they aren’t having good sex, and this figure increased with the length of time people had been together.

Relate offers support to everyone with relationship issues.

This involves relationship and family counselling, children and young people’s counselling, sex therapy and help for carers who care for people with dementia and other mental health issues.

For more information visit www.relate.org.uk.