number of people on the Island looking for love.

"There are an awful lot of lonely people out there,'' says Mrs. Irene Cook, who has had 70 enquiries in her first two weeks. "Right now we've hardly scratched the service.'' And the prospects for success could be good -- because about half those romance-seekers are men and half are women.

Mrs. Cook is running the Singles introduction service temporarily from her Profiles hair salon in the Bermudiana Arcade on Queen Street.

The businesswoman, who also brought the Island its first modelling school and first mobile beauty service, is from Yorkshire in England. She is married to a Bermudian and has been here 32 years.

She said: "I went over to England last November and was exposed to this kind of thing. I got very interested in it and did quite a lot of research.

"I came back and thought something like this would probably be very good for Bermuda -- people getting to know people, introducing people to different kinds of people and trying to get them compatible partners.

"I come into contact with people every day with the salon and I'm used to dealing with the public. People have asked me how to meet people here and where to go. They've said it's very difficult to make friends.

"The whole thing came together and I thought I'd try to give an extra service for Bermuda and see how it works.

"A lot of people know me, and I hope I have a good name and reputation. They know I'm a sound, sensible type of person with a stable background.

"We're going to do it on a very personal level, coupling people up with compatible partners using their membership forms. I'm going to be doing it personally.'' Residents from all over the Island have called in, said Mrs. Cook -- both Bermudians and non-Bermudians. Some are just seeking friends, she believes, but most are searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right.

"People are scared these days as well,'' she said. "I think this matter of picking people up in a bar is going quite quickly.

"I've learned that people are turning to these agencies for companionship and meeting people.'' She says she will warn people to meet their opposite number in a busy public place the first few times and get to know them.

"But being such a small country, it's very, very doubtful that you will end up with a rapist or anything. This is Bermuda and quite honestly I don't think screening is necessary.'' A member with misgivings could always ask her for more details on their partner, she added.

Mrs. Cook is coy about how much her service costs. It is for over-20s only, and culminates in the passing of first names and phone numbers to potential mates.

Among personal details requested, applicants are asked to indicate their "ethnic type'', alcohol intake and appearance ("very good'', "good'' or "medium'').

They are also asked to agree or disagree to statements including: "I would want sex only in a special relationship'' and "I need emotional support''.

MATCHMAKER -- Mrs. Irene Cook is surprised by the flood of calls to her new lonely hearts agency.