Web ensures no love lost, entirely

A total of 16 per cent revealed they regularly use social media to keep tabs on old flames, while one per cent ended up sleeping with their exes after reconnecting online.

But most flings tended to be one-offs, with few finding past passions still burning, according to the poll by people finding service FinderMonkey.co.uk

Others questioned said seeing a picture of a past partner was enough to make them reconsider whether they were wise to have started a relationship in the first place.

Some 4% of those surveyed had used the internet to trace long-lost family members, including parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A FinderMonkey.co.uk spokesman said: “I have to admit to being surprised that one in 10 of us have tracked down exes through Facebook, but pleased that very few have followed it through.

“I guess the curious side in all of us loves to know how people are getting on, even those we’ve shared a bed with in the past.”