FOR years, handing one over was a sign of your undying love for your partner.

But Rolo will no longer be the sweet of choice for York's romantic couples, a Nestl survey has revealed.

York couples think that having a laugh is more important than romance in a relationship.

And Nestl is using the results to launch a new advertising campaign for packets of Rolo.

For 20 years the sweet makers have asked: "Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?"

But the slogan has changed, and couples are now being challenged to: "Discover the power of the last Rolo."

The emphasis of the new campaign is on teasing and humour, aspects of relationships rated highly by York couples.

According to the survey, couples here are twice as likely to indulge in playful bargaining than people in the south or the Midlands. Rolos in York will not be surrendered without a good-humoured fight.

The survey also discovered that:

41 of the 48 couples questioned thought that teasing is more important than romance in a relationship

20 couples said sharing a joke together was more important than a romantic meal

More people were attracted to their partner by their sense of humour than by their looks.

Opinions in York today were evenly split over the importance of humour in a relationship.

"I wouldn't say it was the most important thing at all," said Kari Deighton, from Selby.

Her partner, Alistair Leonard, agreed, saying there are many more things that matter in a relationship.

Mr and Mrs Ramsdale, of York, thought that a good balance was the key to a relationship. "Humour, romance, meals out - we do all of that," Mrs Ramsdale said.

Mary and Michael Lea, from Dringhouses, said: "If you can laugh together, it helps."

Mr Lea added: "The key is to put an even number of Rolos in the packet."

Updated: 09:40 Thursday, April 24, 2003