A former journalist has set up a website that promises hope for all those who have exchanged looks across a crowded room - but lacked the confidence to approach the object of their affections.

Oliver Schofield, who used be a reporter at the Nottingham Evening Post, recently launched Isawyoutoday.com - a place to leave a message for the person you fancy.

The web-flirting service is growing in popularity, especially during the festive season, where office workers and party-goers are leaving little clues as to who might like to pair up with whom…

You narrow it down to an area - and a location - and leave that all-important message to take the hassle out of chat-up techniques.

If the person the message is meant for then logs on, they can register and reply to the would-be suitor by e-mail.

Webmaster and site designer Oliver (right) said: "I'm not really sure it has a definition. It's not a dating agency, but it does hope to match people up. It's not a bulletin board, but you do leave messages.

"It can't really be pigeon holed, but I guess the best way to describe it is as a kind of introductory service for people who have already met."

He had the idea when he was on the London Underground and realised that people quite often share a lingering look but never act on it.

It costs people £5 to reply to messages - but once the payment is made they can reply to as many messages as they want.

Logging on and leaving a message may seem simple enough but Oliver has offered some tips to make sure the e-flirting is successful.

He said: "Try and make sure the heading for your message is descriptive enough to let the person know it's them you're writing about, after all it's the heading they'll see first.

"The same also applies to your messages. Make sure the person you saw is left in no doubt that it's them you fancy and not the German shot putter they were sitting next to.

"Lovey-dovey messages are all fine and dandy, but they could apply to anyone so make it as personal as possible, without being rude."

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk