Shared religion is one of the major factors Brits look for in choosing a partner, a new survey has suggested.

When asked how comfortable they would feel if their partner held 'very different religious views', 45 per cent said they would be uncomfortable whereas 42 per cent would be comfortable, the study said, with women seven percentage points more uncomfortable than men about the prospect of differing faith perspectives.

However the YouGov poll revealed that religion was not as significant as cleanliness, intellect and a relaxed approach to life. As much as 71 per cent said they would be uncomfortable if their partner cared a lot less about being clean and tidy as them and 53 per cent would be uncomfortable if their partner had a much lower intellect than them or was much less easy going than them.

By contrast, only 21 per cent would be bothered by a partner who cared more about being clean and tidy and only 10 per cent would be bothered by the prospect of having a much more relaxed partner than them.

The study, carried about by YouGov Omnibus between February 8-13, found that women are more likely to be bothered by differences than men with the largest contrast over sex drive. Having a partner with a much higher sex drive would bother 46 per cent of women but only 20 per cent of men.