LONELY hearts have new hope in the search for love, courtesy of an American dating concept.

East Lancashire's first speed dating event took place in Blakey's cafe bar at King George's Hall, Blackburn, last night and reporter Sarah Warden went along to give it a try...

THE idea of a blind date terrifies many single people.

Haven't we all relied on the tactic of meeting new people in pubs or clubs after drinking enough to make conversation easier and recognising someone again more difficult?

But having had some hideous morning-after experiences with such an imprecise method, I decided to give something else a try. After all, if it works on Sex and the City, it can work in East Lancashire!

Our menfolk are not usually backwards at coming forwards, so it was a surprise to see Blackburn's first speed dating event had more women than men queuing to find a partner.

But the row of nervous singles at the bar made me feel better in a funny sort of way -- many were with a friend or colleague, trying to avoid making eye contact -- in short, I thought, "at least they all look normal."

I was allocated a seat which would be the scene of my first experience of the three-minute date, trying desperately to work out how to establish someone was sane and suitable in such a short time, let alone whether I found them sexy.

Over the course of the evening men took turns to occupy the seat opposite me and we would have a chance to chat before filling in score cards about whether we liked each other. My first beau of the evening was certainly tall and fairly attractive, though he did seem to be at the upper end of the age limit for me -- 24 to 39 is certainly a large range.

Still, he seemed a nice chap and we stumbled through our short time together with few awkward silences, comparing notes on what we did for a living, how we spent our time off and where we had travelled.

By the second chat, I thought I was well into my stride and asking questions about the personal lives of total strangers with expert ease.

I met six men and though unfortunately none of them were my type, I got some great ideas about where to go away this summer and was inspired to take up salsa dancing!

Joint organisers Sandra Lynton and David Hanns reassured me at the end of the evening that I had appeared to be at ease and having fun, rather than stilted and staring longingly at the door, and encouraged me to return to try again.

They said they were pleased with how the evening had gone and remained confident the idea would take off.

Sandra said: "It's been nice to see people getting on and chatting and I think when people hear about speed dating and understand what it is it will be really popular."

A speed dating event for people aged 35 to 50 will be held in Blakey's cafe bar on April 27 and another evening for those aged 24 to 39 will take place on May 27.

For tickets call 01254 898000.