An Oxfordshire firm claims it is dealing with thousands of divorces over the Internet.

Management at Abingdon-based www.divorce-online.co.uk said more people are turning to the online option because it is cheaper and quicker than going through the process with a solicitor.

But a top divorce lawyer said couples should always seek legal advice when it comes to sorting out finances and dealing with issues about children.

The site was set up less than two years ago by legal executive Mark Keenan.

Mr Keenan said the company dealt with two per cent -- more than 2,800 -- of the 144,000 UK divorces between 2000 and 2001.

People logging onto the site can download a package with the necessary documentation to carry out the divorce procedure, and receive guidance, for a one-off fee of £80.

Once the forms are complete, they are submitted to court.

The total cost is about £260 compared to up to £1,000 for the same process with a solicitor.

Mr Keenan said: "The divorce process essentially involves form-filling.

"Our package allows you to do that.

"People don't realise that visiting a solicitor when you are getting divorced is more to do with tradition.

"Statistics show that, last year, there were only 160 contested divorces.

"In most cases you can do it yourself if you are confident enough to fill in a few forms. If not, we offer access to legal advice."

But Peter Watson-Lee, chairman of the Law Society's Family Law Committee, said: "The real difficulty lies in sorting out the finances and the children. In those cases it is always best to see a solicitor face-to-face.

"If a solicitor sees a case can be settled easily, they will do that. There is a misconception about the process."

Meanwhile, Mr Keenan is expecting business to grow rapidly.

After starting on his own, he now employs four people and plans to set up a call centre operation handling legal services.

He also runs a separate site which covers writing wills. In contrast to the divorce site, he now offers an online dating service, which is also proving popular.