Les Dawson once said he knew when his mother-in-law was coming round – because the mice threw themselves on to the traps.

Sadly, it seems that many of us feel the same way.

Mothers-in-law are one of the most common causes of arguments between British couples, a survey has found.

The poll of 2,000 adults discovered that only rows over money and disputes concerning household chores occurred more frequently than bickering about each other’s relations.

Researchers found that poor budgeting and a lack of savings regularly cause couples to fall out, as does women being lumbered with too many domestic duties.

The top ten reasons also included drinking habits, hoarding objects, doing the washing up, deciding what to watch on the TV and the time it takes to get ready.

The study by electronics firm Philips found that one in ten of us has a fight with our partner daily, while one in twenty has several fights per day.

Spokesman Deneice Harwin said: ‘Couples will always argue. Even trivial things – like who looks after the TV remote, leaving wet towels on the floor and taking too long to get ready – rile us.’

On average, women win three in five arguments, with two in five prepared to cry in order to get their own way – and if that sounds cynical, 13 percent of men admitted turning on the waterworks as well.

The researchers found that gentlemen are more likely to back down and admit they were in the wrong to restore the peace, and are quicker to apologise.

A record 2.5million British families take the in-laws with them on holiday, research shows.

Insurance firm RIAS found that grandparents are popular – and free – child-care providers on trips, as the trend for three-generation journeys grows.

(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)