And the new figures, compiled by Virgin Media, show that 18 per cent of our online pensioners use the web for dating, chat rooms and forums looking for romance and friendship.

As well as looking for love, 82 per cent of Halifax's so-called "silver surfers" use the internet to help them find new friends and hobbies.

While more than a third of them use it to keep in touch with long distance friends and 30 per cent have been reunited with old acquaintances via the world wide web.

And one in 10 of Halifax's over 80s who are connected to the internet regularly visit social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

James Kydd, from Virgin Media, said: "The internet offers exciting opportunities for all ages."

Virgin Media commissioned the research which surveyed more than 400 over 60s earlier this month.

On May 23 Digital Unite, media literacy experts for older people held Silver Surfers' Day to raise awareness and encourage pensioners to use the internet.