AN online greeting card company has introduced a special You Are Dumped card, after requests from unhappy lovers who want to let their partner down 'gently'.

The Card and Gift Company already sells cards congratulating the newly-divorced or single, but says it has had hundreds of emails and phone calls asking for a get-out-of-romance ticket.

Managing director Andrew Gibson said: "In the last week or so, the number of people getting in touch has shot up, suggesting that August is the time when many people consider ending a relationship.

"Many of us find it easiest to express a difficult message in writing, which is why we think so many people feel there is a gap in the market for this type of card."

The card shows a young man being thrown into the dustbin - and lists a number of tick-box reasons.