The programme, called "New Life, New Challenge", has been set up by the relationship charity Relate.

Over 10 sessions, trainers will cover subjects such as what causes a relationship breakdown, the needs of children, friends and families and renewing relationship skills.

"The course is desperately needed. The current divorce rate for all marriages is four in 10, with second and subsequent marriages even more likely to suffer breakdown," said Peter O'Mahoney, head of relationship education training for Relate.

Fewer and fewer couples are getting married

"The course will help separating and divorcing people to embrace the challenge of their new life.

"There are also significant knock-on benefits for the children of those who attend the course.

"Parents will gain a greater understanding of what it means to be caught up in the pain of divorce and separation."

The course will available at 50 Relate centres around the country.

Some £61m was paid in legal aid in to divorcing couples in 1997 alone.

The number of couples divorcing has shot up in recent years. Statistics released in 1997 showed 400,000 couples married in 1947, and just 10% of those have got divorced.