Sarah Jessica Parker to live alone

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are to live apart.

The couple - who have been married for 12 years and have three children together, son James Wilkie, six, and one-month-old twin daughters Marion and Tabitha - have decided to set-up home in different properties in New York, because Matthew wants to remain in Manhattan, while Sarah and the children move to Brooklyn.

A source said: "It would be a surprising decision to make so soon after the arrival of their twins. Having the babies born healthy and happy was a dream come true, so it's strange that they might have to spend some time apart at this stage.

"No one can quite believe it, but it's clear they're making the right decision for all the right reasons."

Sarah is determined for her twins - who were born using a surrogate mother - to grow up away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The 44-year-old actress has already purchased a 5.2 million nine-bedroom house in Brooklyn, where she believes the children will enjoy a quieter life.

The source added to Look magazine: "Sarah clearly loves Manhattan, but she has three children now. It might be better for them to grow up somewhere calmer where they can play in the park and feel safe, rather than in the madness of Manhattan.

"But Matthew loves their townhouse in Manhattan because it's close to his work on Broadway. He's currently in negotiations to perform in an off-Broadway theatre production and it wouldn't make sense for him to commute into town every day for work."