Just in time for Valentine's Day, scientists have come with a guide on the secrets of seduction.

Their tips, which range from what to wear to catch a suitor's eye, to the best chat-up lines and even the most attractive names, could make the difference between enjoying a romantic meal for two on Monday or a TV dinner for one.

The first bit of advice for women is to wear red. Not only is a lady in red deemed more attractive, research shows that it makes the men around her more attentive, flirtatious - and wanting to move closer.

The next secret of seduction, for men at least, is to make yourself seem as popular as possible. University of Aberdeen research found that women are more likely to rate a man highly if they see another woman smiling at him and throwing him admiring glances.

But the phenomenon could lead to married men attracting unwelcome attention, with research showing that men who are already taken are much appealing than their single counterparts.

Women may also be attracted by the thrill of trying to lure a man away from his girlfriend or wife, New Scientist reports.

Single women should, however, avoid going out with the boys, with studies showing that women surrounded by men are viewed as being less attractive. This may be because men instinctively fear that such a woman will be unfaithful.

Chat up lines are also important, with studies show that good opening lines are tailored to the couple's surroundings.

Humour is also successful, with gambits such as 'Excuse me, I just noticed you noticing me and I just wanted to give you notice that I noticed you too' proving highly successful.

The 142 women tested by Edinburgh University researchers deemed the worst chat-up line to be: 'I was just wondering if you had space in your bag for my Merc keys.'

Perhaps not surprisingly, a person's vital statistics also count, with symmetric faces generally viewed as being the most attractive.

The ideal waist to hip ratio for a woman is 0.8 - meaning her waist measurement is 80 per cent that of her hips. Similarly, a man whose shoulders are 40 per cent wider than his hips will wow the ladies.

(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)