Poetic Yorkshiremen prove the age of romance isn't dead

Sixty-eight per per cent of those surveyed in the county said they had written a love letter or poem, compared with the national figure of 50 per cent. Meanwhile, 18 per cent of Yorkshiremen admitted passing off someone else's romantic poetry at their own – compared to six per cent nationwide.

And while 21 per cent of men surveyed said they would use their mobiles to dash off a text, or even send a romantic email (11 per cent) Yorkshiremen are far more old fashioned when it comes to romance, with just 16 per cent reaching for their phones and four per cent turning to email.

The Lindt Lindor Code of Modern Chivalry report also found that while the majority of Yorkshirewomen are regular users of Facebook and Twitter, 34 per cent would feel disappointed to receive a wall message or tweet instead of a traditional Valentine's Day card.

It found that 51 per cent of women in the county would appreciate a small, thoughtful gesture – such as her favourite chocolate – above extravagant and often impersonal gifts.

Relationship expert Jenni Trent Hughes said: "We may no longer be knights in shining armour or damsels in distress, but we still want and need romance - it is part of our emotional DNA."