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Debenhams divorce list is the latest service to be launched for the newly separated.

Toasters, wine glasses and bed linen might be staples of the traditional wedding list, but they're set to make an appearance on the gift lists of separating couples, thanks to one retailer.

Debenhams today unveiled a divorce gift list service to encourage separating couples to ask their friends to pay for much-needed household items suited to their newly single life.

"With so many couples now living together before they marry, the wedding gift list concept is now regarded as more of an upgrade service, rather than stocking up the first home with the basics," said Peter Moore, head of retail services at Debenhams.

"However, a divorce means that one partner will be leaving their marital home and therefore be left without any essentials in their new house."

Items the store expects to be popular choices among divorcees include cookware, cutlery, crockery, glasses, bedlinen, towels and small electrical goods such as toasters and microwaves, as well as non-iron shirts, large plasma screen TVs and computer games.

There has recently been a flurry of services launched for those in the throes of separation. Earlier this month it emerged that one divorce lawyer had started selling legal advice vouchers for those thinking of separating.

Divorce parties, which are already big business in the US, have started making inroads in the UK fuelled by celebrities including Jordan, Gail Porter and Heather Mills celebrating their separations.

The celebrate-not-commiserate trend has also led to wedding cake specialists turning their hand to divorce sponges, while last year the Starting over show opened its doors in Brighton and will open in London in March this year.

January is the peak time for divorce and lawyers have said they expect the number of couples contacting them to rise signficantly this year as confidence in the economy grows.

On average, marrying couples include 120 items on their wedding gift list, including iPods and holidays, Debenhams said. Friends and family may be hoping a divorce list is rather cheaper.