Scatter the rose petals, dim the lights and light the candles – yes, your favourite event of the year has arrived. For those of you smugly coupled up, we’ve concocted the perfect seduction techniques to charm your soulmate with your perfectly poised affections, from hot dates to gifts of love.

But if the sight of love-heart adorned shop windows, sickly sweet teddybears and fully booked restaurants make you cringe with the shiver of singledom then never fear; we’ve not forgotten you. Read on to discover tricks and ideas to fill your Valentine’s night.