Men are quicker with 'I love you'

We might assume that they are less romantic and more focused on the physical side of love, but apparently when it comes to declaring their love the boys are quickest off the mark.

According to a dating survey conducted for The Sunday Telegraph, the average chap will take seven months to say those three little words while the girls wait for that all important eighth month.Oliver James, a clinical psychologist and author, said that the findings confirmed that men are prone to being "swept away".

He explained: "This is because women mature sooner than men and develop to be more hard-nosed, realistic and in touch with their emotions.

"So when a man says 'I love you' it might be his way of dealing with a lot of complex, difficult emotions that he doesn't really understand, whereas when a woman says it, it might carry a greater weight.

"The classic cliché is that men use love to get sex and women use sex to get love."

Stella magazine commissioned YouGov to interview almost 2,000 men and women of all ages and backgrounds about their dating habits.

And the 'I love you' bombshell wasn't the only surprise. The poll revealed that, when it comes to dating, the over 55s are the most active.

Almost two-thirds of those over 55 had joined internet dating websites, as compared to just over one fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds, and they were more ready to meet up with potential online loves.

The older age group were also keen to experiment, with one in seven attending a singles event and almost one quarter trying speed dating.

However, some of the old dating stereotypes were confirmed, with half of men confessing to dating to have sex compared to only 20% of women and one fifth of men admitted they would have sex on the first date (only one in 17 women agreed).

But at least we agree on one thing –who should be picking up the tab. On average the boys will spend £40.50 while the girls get away with only £23.20.