Lesley Brewer, who runs The Introduction Company, believes clients should be protected in the same way as people who use the services of estate agents and financial firms.

She told Enterprise NewsLine:

"When I first looked online and started my research I found a lot of 'tacky' sites.

"I wanted to get as far away from that as possible to make sure I was working with some sort of standard or ethical code."

Her firm is a member of the Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA), but relatively few UK dating agencies are members. There is currently no legislation to protect clients, as there is in other sectors.

Lesley admits it is controversial to call for more red tape.

But she added:

"All the other organisations that exist, they’ve all got red tape to work to."

Her business has been trading for a year and is based in North Yorkshire. It is planning to expand by opening another branch in the south east. Currently a one-man band, Lesley is taking on another member of staff in the summer.