Finding your Prince Charming or fair maiden is not always as easy as it appears in fairy tales. Some people often need a bit of support in the pursuit of love. Alex Barham went undercover to a speed dating event in St Albans to test the theory.

AS a single girl with a rich history of failed relationships it is perhaps time I realised my approach to bagging a man is the wrong one.

Searching for a potential suitor half-cut and bleary-eyed in a club, I have been told, is not the most tactful way of impressing the opposite sex.

Friends have suggested I ditch my flawed quest for romance and find alternative ways of meeting that special person such as online dating agencies or speed dating events.

But I have vowed never to resort to formalised dating tactics for the same reason other singletons dismiss the idea - in my view such phenomena attract either the divorced or desperate.

Danielle Waller, events organiser from online dating agency Speed Dater, said: "Traditonally there has been a stigma attached to single events.

"Some people do see it as a last resort, a bit desperate, but at the end of the day everyone is there for the same reason - to meet new people.

"It's not the dregs of the earth that end up there.

"Speed dating is quite a popular thing; If people just tried it out for themselves and go with the attitude to enjoy themselves they will have a good time."

So last week I decided to bite the bullet and experience a night of this historically Jewish act of matchmaking at an over 25's event at Mokoko's bar in Verulam Road.

Speed dating, for those who are yet to experience the hot new craze, is exactly how it sounds - one night of serial dating whereby men and women engage in a number of three-minute rendezvous.

Steering the evening of racy round-robin match-making is a host who rings a bell every time three minutes has elapsed - indicating that it is time for participants to move onto their next date.

Danielle continued: "That's the great thing with speed dating; you meet so many people in one night and you know everyone there is single and interested in meeting other single people."

A score card handed out at the beginning of the session helps each participant keep track of compatible dates and make notes of those where romance didn't blossom. If hearts do flutter the couple are invited to exchange email addresses and phone numbers once the session has finished.

To my surprise my narrow-minded and somewhat bigoted preconceptions were totally destroyed during the evening.

My dates were neither loony stalkers nor creepy perverts, but friendly and sociable gentlemen from all walks of life.

I would be lying if I said all of them bowled me over with excitement.

Some daters can be excruciatingly boring, but that's the beauty of speed dating - it's a no-nonsense approach.

You grin and bear wiffy banter for one short spell before you shake them off and move on to the next.

"People tend to like that structure because you're not commited to anything, " Danielle said. "You're not on a date all night."

During each fleeting engagement I had one important question to ask each of my dates - why had their search for romance led them here?

Some explained they felt too old to be cavorting with a woman in a club or bar, but preferred to meet the opposite sex in the less intimidating environment of a speed dating session.

Others confessed that a fear of rejection stopped them pursuing women, while some had simply grown tired of falling for a taken lass.

It seemed everyone had different reasons for signing up to speed dating, but all hoped for the same outcome at Monday night's event - a chance to meet new people and find the perfect partner.

Event host and frequent speed dater Colin Chapman said: "No-one wants to appear to be looking for love in this modern day.

"The whole image of the modern day is I'm too cool for that', but underneath it that's what people are looking for.

"These people are actively increasing their opportunity of finding love.

"They would love to meet a partner, that is the fundamental thing, and this is a great place to pro-actively allow that to happen in your life."

He added: "I think the best attitude to come with is that you are going to have a fun night whatever the outcome and if you meet anyone that is a bonus."

Unfortunately I was not swept off my feet by some dashingly handsome suitor but I'm beginning to think maybe I am just too fussy because in other corners of the room sparks were flying.

Speed dating events are held at Mokoko's every other Monday night from 7.30pm.

To find out more visit the website www.speeddater.co.uk

  • Speed dating facts:
  • Speed dating was originally used as a way to help Jewish singles meet and marry.
  • The first commercial speed-dating event took place at Pete's Café in Beverly Hills in late 1998.
  • Speed dating users are most often professionals who want to improve their chances of meeting the right person.
  • About one-third of people go to speed dating alone while others prefer to go with friends for moral support.