Demi Moore has announced that she and husband Ashton Kutcher are to divorce.

The 49-year-old married the actor in September 2005, but their relationship came under scrutiny in recent months due to rumours that he had an affair.

Moore cited "sacred values" as one of the reasons for her decision to divorce the Two and a Half Men star, in a statement released to The AP.

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton," she said. "As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life."

"This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation."

Kutcher said in a blog post: "I will forever cherish the time I spent with Demi."

"Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately sometimes they fail. Love and Light, AK."

The actress was previously married to Bruce Willis, and had three daughters together - Rumer, Scout and Tallulah Belle - before their divorce in 2000.

Ashton Kutcher recently handed over ownership of his highly-followed Twitter account, following comments made about Joe Paterno.

Source: Press Release