Stephen Hawking to divorce his wife

London, Oct 19 (UNI) Stephen Hawking, whose book ''A Brief History of Time'' has sold more than 10 million copies is to divorce his wife, according to reports.

Professor Hawking declined to comment on the reported split with Elaine, to whom he has been married for 11 years.

Lawyers for the couple have lodged divorce papers at Cambridge County Court, according to a report in The Times last night. It is unclear whether Mrs Hawking, 55, is still living with the professor, who has had motor neurone disease since the age of 20.

Two years ago police investigated the alleged abuse of Professor Hawking by his wife. He denied any assault and no charges were brought.

The cosmologist, who is Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, is looked after by nurses and family at his home in Newnham, Cambridge. He still lectures regularly at the university and elsewhere.

His distinctive voice synthesiser was designed by his wife's former husband, David Mason. The professor left his first wife, Jane, the mother of their three children, to marry Elaine, his former care-taker, in 1995.

Sources quoted in The Sun claim that another woman may be involved. One source said: ''Stephen and Elaine's relationship is over. There is also talk that he has fallen for another woman.'' ''It's an incredibly sad state of affairs. Nobody knows why they are splitting up. It's a complete mystery. But there is a possibility another woman is involved.'' UNI XC SY MIR HT1730 -