Increasingly, busy men and women are using dating agencies, speed dating, the internet or lonely hearts pages in a bid to find their perfect soulmate.

But, warns the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, meeting your match like that could carry hidden dangers. Many people, it points out, assume that dating agencies vet all their clients but it is a dangerous assumption to make.

The trust suggests following these tips :

1. Only use dating agencies that carry out personal interviews, not just postal questionnaires.

2. Make sure the agency will never give out your surname or address - some agencies only withhold the information on request.

3. Check to see if the agency belongs to the Association of British Introduction Agencies (tel 0845 345 2242 or visit www.abia.org.uk) and only join an established agency.

4. Never give personal details such as address or surname when you are making a date on the telephone or internet.

5. First dates should always be in a busy public place.

6. Tell someone where you are going, who you are meeting and when you will be back.

7. Consider meeting your date in a bar/restaurant where friends will be, so they can rescue you if necessary. Introduce your date to them or at least indicate that there are people you know present.

8. Don't go home with your new date, don't invite them back to your home and don't offer them a lift or accept one.

Pay attention to your instincts - if you feel uneasy about someone, there may be a reason, the trust advises.