AS MUCH as you may try to deny it, Christmas is fast approaching, bringing with it the inevitable round of parties and engagements.

For those singletons who face a solo Yuletide with dread, gorging yourself on ten chocolate advent calendars at once is definitely not the answer.

Instead, pop along to the Slug & Lettuce next Tuesday for a spot of speed-dating for 21 to 35 year olds, courtesy of national love fairies Boy Meets Girl.

For those of you who have yet to give the concept a go, the idea is simple and not in the slightest bit scary, especially after a drink or two for Dutch courage.

Up to 20 single lads and 20 single women take turns to have a three-minute date with each person in the room, in a safe and friendly environment. There are plenty of breaks to mingle, so that you can pop to the loo to exchange notes with your friends or grab another conversation with the person who has caught your eye.

At the end of the evening, you tick the box of the people you took a shine to and, if they are also keen, Boy Meets Girl will pass on your email address.

Organiser Tom says: "This is the sixth or seventh event we have done in York. We are going to make it a bit festive with crackers and hats, and we will be supplying some mistletoe for people to kiss beneath if they wish!

"It's all very informal - the emphasis is on fun and flirting. It's more about single people getting together and whatever happens, happens. Who knows? You might meet somebody to cuddle up to in the cold winter nights."

Boy Meets Girl Speed-dating Christmas Party, at the Slug & Lettuce, Back Swinegate, York, on Tuesday (Dec 7), arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £15. To book, phone 0161 494 7077 or visit the website www.boymeetsgirlspeeddating.com

Updated: 09:48 Friday, December 03, 2004