WOMEN need escape valves from the stresses of their everyday lives, according to a new survey.

They may appear able to cope with life, love, work and family but deep down they crave their own space, it found.

The survey in the May issue of Eve magazine, published today, was conducted among groups of women who have established successful domestic and work lives.

It found that 39% of women in relationships lie about where they are going so they can get away.

Some 17% claim to have spent a night away from home without explanation, and the same proportion have phoned a friend or parent to ask them if they would be prepared to offer temporary refuge should everything go wrong.