A forklift was used to pick up half a house after a German man decided to settle his imminent divorce by chainsawing the family home in two.

Reuters New reported police said the 43-year-old trained mason measured the single-storey house, which was about eight metres long and six metres wide, before chainsawing through the wooden roof and walls.

The police spokesman said: "The man said he was just taking his due but I don't think his wife was too pleased."