Welcome to the d8.org Dating News Update for July where we take a look at the latest news relating to dating, relationships and socialising in the UK.

Dating has hit the deadlines again, with The Scotsman reporting that half of all women make their minds up within 30 seconds of meeting a man about whether he is potential boyfriend material, according to a study on speed-dating.

In one of the biggest dating stories this month, internet dating was revealed to be a much more successful way to find long-term romance and friendship for thousands of people than was previously thought. A new study of online dating site members by the University of Bath has found that when couples who had built up a significant relationship by e-mailing or chatting online met for the first time, 94 per cent went on to see each other again. Great news and lovely to hear the real success stories from online dating.

In other dating news, the BBC revealed research this month showing that there are certain things you can do to help your date go with a bang and turn into something more serious.

The results ranged from advising that daters should ditch chat up lines to the importance of maintaining eye contact.

And Finally, the spotlight was also on a Times survey which revealed that couples now have so little time together during the day that they resort to texting to maintain contact. The days of face to face chin wags are seemingly dwindling!

That’s it for now. The Dating Forum is an excellent place to keep ahead of the game on all issues relating to dating.

Goodbye and thanks for tuning in.