Dating agencies boom as singles seek savings.

Single men and women are seeking shelter from the credit crunch - in the arms of one another.

Dating agencies say they have seen a rush of business from singles seeking cheaper ways to find a partner than by spending a fortune in clubs and bars.

The Association of British Introduction Agencies reported a 17.5 per cent increase in people signing up to its member firms in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period last year.

Agencies saw a 19 per cent growth in sales in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period in 2007, while enquiries went up 23 per cent over the same time.

People are being more careful about what they are spending their money on. Many do not want to go through stressful times on their own. Source:

By Franco Capaldo (Financial mail).