I had given up on internet dating but a different kind of website has given me fresh hope.

My housemate Kat and I have spent a year between us on match.com and mysinglefriend.com but between us, were manless.

When my membership expired, I decided I was tired of all the midweek dates and spending evenings staring at my laptop. I wanted to rejoin the real work.

But despite throwing myself into my social life and trying hobbies like rowing, I have had few dates. So, this week I was searching for new nights in London when I came across a website which organises events for Londoners keen on meeting new friends. It was called citysocialising.com.

I was intrigued. Joining was free and involved uploading a photo of yourself, like facebook. I entered my details and a list of interests.

That very day, I got a message from a guy, Tim, who had similar interests and who wanted to get to know me. Trouble is, you can only send three before you have to pay to become a full member - which is £19.99 per month.

So we found each other on facebook and carried on chatting. He caught my eye. We had been to the same uni and he had done a PhD in neurobiology. I was impressed. There's nothing that wins me over quite like a brainy chap.

After exchanging a few facebook messages I showed a colleague his messages. She said: "He's quite serious, isn't he? There aren't any jokes..." But I chose to ignore this.

Then Tim asked suggested we meet. I was keen but wanted to check him out before meeting him so I suggested a chat on the phone.

Duly, my phone rang last night. It was him. I took a deep breath and answered.

A high-pitched, breathless voice said: "Hi, it's Tim."

Now I have never met Tim. I have only seem three photos of him which are not very clear. Call me shallow, but as soon as I heard his squeaky tones I knew it was never to be.

After a few awkward minutes of chatting, I made an implausible excuse to get off the phone.

"I've just come out of a long-term relationship, I lied. "I thought I was brave enough to start dating but I wasn't. Sorry."

He was taken aback, poor bloke, and well he might be. He hadn't even asked me out properly. And he has finally put me off meeting men on the web. For good.

But I might try a night out with some of the other members of  citysocialising.com