A MAN is on a “quest” to track down a mystery woman after her profile disappeared from an online dating site.

David Bradley, 66, spotted the woman on the over 50s dating site OurTime.co.uk last month.

It said she lived in Brighton.

David, who is from Norfolk, said she had sent him a message but because he had not paid a subscription fee, he could not see it.

He said: “Being a tight Norfolk man I was waiting for the site’s bank holiday discount.

“It costs £39.99 to subscribe usually. But while I was holding out, I found her profile had been deleted.

“It disappeared on November 28, the day before I subscribed. I could see she’d sent me a message, but I had no way of contacting her.”

Although he has never spoken to her, David believes she could be “the one”.

He said: “When I saw her photo, something about her just looked different. It struck a chord. I was driven to try and find her, and that’s why I contacted The Argus.”

David insists he is looking for “something really genuine”. He said: “I’m not a player. I’m not a fly-by-night and I’m not interested in one-night stands. And I don’t want to sound like a serial dater.

“It might sound strange in today’s day and age but I’m looking for the real thing.”

David now lives in the rural village of Mellis in Suffolk and has been single for a long time. His last long-term relationship ended more than seven years ago and he has not found a partner since.

He said: “I’ve been on the occasional date but it’s not like I’m desperate or anything.”

David even appeared on the Channel 4 TV programme First Dates. He said: “A was on it a few years ago. They try to pair you up with someone local and they put me with a lady from Cambridge called Beverley. But we were like chalk and cheese.

“Hundreds of thousands of people applied to get on the programme. The selection process was unbelievable.

“I went to London on three occasions and there were two hours of questions beforehand.”

David, who has recently retired from his job as a metalworker, made Beverley a nickel-plated rose – but it wasn’t enough to win her over.

He said: “I do some unconventional things, and I know this will add to it. But it should be an interesting quest.

“And at this age, it’s just nice to go on a date.

“I reckon I’ve got a few years ahead of me, so I’m looking for a forever partner, someone to spend the rest of my life with.

“I’m fit and healthy, and I even started Morris dancing recently. It’s terrific fun. You see, I’ve got longevity behind me.”

David says he is happy to speak publicly about his “quest”, and hopes readers will get in touch to help him.

He said: “I’m not ashamed about looking for her.

“People I’ve spoken to about it say it’s lovely. The barmaid in my local pub said it was romantic.

“So fingers crossed – I hope this works.”