Sending a parcel to Australia to a girlfriend or boyfriend could become more popular after it was claimed that online dating is "perfectly normal".

With the internet meaning that people can meet, chat and even arrange to marry online, it may be that lovebirds may want to send a parcel to Australia, or any other country, with a few tokens of their affection.

According to one dating guru, the stigma attached to online dating is well and truly gone.

James Preece, who helps to run three online dating agencies, says: "One out of every three couples met online. It's perfectly normal and most people are trying it."

He points out that people are working longer hours and have less time to meet new people.

With online dating, he says, you can search huge numbers of possible partners and contact them quickly.

Recent research has found that two-thirds (65 per cent) of men are happy to date people they meet on Facebook, while only a half (50 per cent) of women feel comfortable about doing so.