A dating event was launched this week with a special twist - no talking.

Silent dating pledges to cut the idle chit-chat and instead focus singletons on the “concept of communication on a deeper level”.

The Stoneham Pub in Portland Road, Hove, hosted the first two sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Up to 20 men and woman can take part in each event, which is organised by website rightflirt.com.

Instead of trying to sell themselves with small talk, participants are encouraged to explore different ways to communicate and size each other up as dating material.

They first spend five minutes walking around the room with only the touching of hands allowed.

All locked up At the end of each minute a noise is sounded and individuals jump three times before staring and trying to hold eye contact with someone they have connected with.

Following a drinks break, they take part in 60 second speed dating rounds in which there is no talking in an attempt to build sexual tension.

Participants then text organisers their thoughts on each member of the group – simply the word yes, no or friendship – before a second break.

On their return the men are given a bicycle lock to wear around their wrists.

Women then approach the person they like the look of and unlock their man.

Organiser Neil-Monticelli Harley- Rüdd said: “People tend to find silent dating both engaging and liberating as it is part workshop, part dating.

‘Superficial’ “Although it takes a leap of faith, it offers the opportunity to check out other people’s vibe in a meditative manner.”

He said there were rules – people could not “slap bottoms” and it had to be clean.

But he said he wanted daters to feel the sexual tension in the room.

Amanda, who would not give her surname, attended a silent dating event in Hove on Thursday evening.

Middle-aged and from Portslade, she said she wanted to meet someone – but did not find the man of her dreams.

“It was good fun though,” she added.

“But I am not sure that I am going to find the right person here.”

A younger participant added: “I am not sure about it, I think it’s just superficial."