Cupid's arrow is quivering with excitement now that we have closed the floodgates on our Blind Date competition, writes the Oxford Mail's resident matchmaker KATHERINE MacALISTER.

We were so inundated with entries that we have decided to send four couples to Newbury Races on Saturday, instead of three.

I will be there to meet them, and break the ice and will also present them with their free £18 members badges, a bottle of Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne from caterers Ring and Brymer and £10 worth of Tote vouchers each to bet with.

And the rest is up to them.

But don't worry, if love blossoms you'll be the first to know.

Next week we tell you how they got on and print photographs of the moment they first set eyes on each other.

Cilla Black's job is not an easy one. Matchmaking is much harder than I expected because there is so much to take into consideration - age, address, interests, jobs and so on.

And even when you've found the perfect match, you still have to hope the chemistry is there.

I picked our eight lucky winners for a variety of reasons. Some were instantly suited, because they had exactly the same interests.

Others were both hopeless romantics looking for love, flowers and candlelit dinners, while some were just out for a good laugh.

So fingers crossed, who knows maybe it'll result in a wedding to make Cilla green with envy.

But for those of you who didn't get picked, don't give up.

The man or woman of your dreams will be out there, somewhere, and who knows maybe a secret admirer will contact you on Valentines Day.

COUPLE NO 1.

NAME: VANESSA ADAMS

AGE: 28

ADDRESS: Bicester

PROFESSION: Travel agent branch agent

STAR: Capricorn

CV: As a travel agent she's always sending people on romantic breaks and thinks its about time she had a chance. She's a romantic and describes herself as fun-loving, bubbly, smiley and understanding.

IDEAL DATE: Gary Mavers of Peak Practice

NAME: PAUL LOWDEN

AGE: 31

ADDRESS: Oxford

PROFESSION: Operations designer

STAR: Capricorn

CV: He's sporty, easy-going and fun-loving and wants to have a good laugh with whoever he meets. He is a happy person who likes football and music and has never been to the races. Both are first-time blind-daters

IDEAL DATE: Courtney Cox from Friends

COUPLE NO.2

NAME: JOANNE REEVE

AGE: 19

ADDRESS: Oxford

PROFESSION: Dental nurse

STAR: Libra

CV: She works hard and is looking for a gorgeous guy to go clubbing with who will give her lots of tender loving care.

She loves keeping fit and going to the cinema and describes herself as loyal, trusting and giving.

DREAM DATE: Will Smith from Men In Black

NAME: ANDREW TURNBALL

AGE: 24

ADDRESS: Kidlington

PROFESSION: Contracts engineer

STAR: Leo

CV: This 'hunky, spunky, and funky' man is also into clubbing and fitness.

He wants a fun night out with someone with similar interests.

He enjoys going to the gym, playing football and golf.

He also enjoys a good curry.

DREAM DATE: Movie star Demi Moore

COUPLE NO.3

NAME: LORRAINE BONNER

AGE: 20

Address: Witney

Profession: Dry cleaning branch assistant

Star: Aries

CV: She's looking for a man with a good sense of humour, who's romantic and honest. She's sociable and enjoys meeting friends, dining in and out and going to the cinema. She works too hard so hasn't had time to meet the man of her dreams or fall in love, yet.

DREAM DATE: George Clooney from ER

NAME: TONY POTTER

AGE: 28

ADDRESS: Witney

PROFESSION: Warehouse operative

STAR: Pisces

CV: He's into drawing, dancing, music and socialising. His New Year's resolution was to make 1999 his year and he is looking for someone with a good sense of humour to share it with. He also promises to be a good listener.

DREAM DATE: Actor Sandra Bullock who starred in Speed

COUPLE NO. 4

NAME: LAURA COLLINSON

AGE: 22

ADDRESS: Beckley

PROFESSION: Animal technician

STAR: Scorpio

CV: This self-confessed 'boozy floozy' is certainly sporty, enjoying tennis, snow boarding and horse-riding but still finds time for clubbing and socialising.

But although she admits she's choosy, she is looking for Mr Right.

DREAM DATE: Robbie Williams

NAME: PAUL ALLDAY

AGE: 25

ADDRESS: North Hinksey

PROFESSION: Chef

STAR: Taurus

CV: This easy-going lad loves sport, and keeps fit by playing football and long bike rides.

He lives life to the full and has a good sense of humour.

His passions include cooking (of course!) and music.

DREAM DATE: The afore mentioned Speed star Sandra Bullock

*TOMORROW: GEORGE FREW SEARCHES THE WORLDWIDE WEB LOOKING FOR LOVE

Story date: Wednesday 10 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.