Almost two thirds of couples in the UK met their partner in 2004 amidst the alcoholic haze of a bar or nightclub but things are set to change in 2005 according to Yahoo! Personals. In research released today, the online dating site reveals alcohol-fuelled Christmas parties cause so much embarrassment that on average a third of all Brits aged 25 - 35 are planning to drink less next year with Southampton (42%) and Manchester (32%) and London (22%) setting the example for the nation.

Singles are concerned about drinking to excess and embarrassing themselves in front of potential dates at Christmas parties with 78% regretting their behaviour when under the influence of alcohol. Research reveals the top Christmas clangers from last year were falling over at a work party (63%), revealing a hidden secret (35%), kissing your best mate (20%), and having a brief encounter under the mistletoe with a colleague (12%).

There are still some nervous daters who need a couple of drinks to find confidence on a date. 14% of singles take dutch courage to the extreme, sinking over 10 units on their first date. Indeed, it may seem to work at first with 63% of singletons being more likely to 'pull' when drunk. However beer goggles appear to be short-lived with 39% of Brits finding a drunken date a real turn off forcing them to reconsider a second date.

The new trend hitting boozy Britain mirrors the dating culture on the Continent. Like Europeans, Brits are increasingly more likely to meet prospective dates through a chance rendezvous (37%), work (30%) or via online dating (12%) and not in pubs or clubs. One in ten singletons would prefer to get to know someone properly on their first date in a cosy café than an inebriated encounter in a nightclub.

If you prefer to go sober and are looking for love this Christmas get online with Yahoo! Personals - the UK's most trusted and popular online dating service at - yahoo.co.uk/onlinedating. You can search for dates via location, salary bracket and interests.

All statistics used should quote Yahoo! Personals as the source of the research findings. All statistics referred to in this article have been calculated as a result of an online poll conducted by Yahoo! Personals with over 1600 people were surveyed nationally

For further information: Nicky Law Cohn & Wolfe T: 020 7331 5450 nicky_law@uk.cohnwolfe.com