Going on a first date is nerve wracking and daunting enough no matter how many times you have done it before or how old or young you are. However, if you are in the 50+ age group, it can be especially worrying as you may have not been on a first date for a few years or even a few decades. Knowing what to wear and what to say can be worrying if you are a senior dating.

You'll worry as to whether you'll like him or her and vice versa and what dating etiquette is now since you last dated.

The good news is that there are some tips and strategies that you can use when senior dating in order to minimise the tress factor of a first date so that you can actually enjoy it, whether or not romance does blossom.

First off, plan the venue. While you may fancy going to the pictures, it does mean that you won't get a lot of time to get to know each other as you'll be sitting there in silence. Try and plan a first date where you both have shared interest – it could be anything from horse riding to going to a country pub; a wine tasting evening to visit a place of interest or an art gallery….

Going for dinner on a first date puts a lot of pressure on you both as it implies intimacy and should be avoided. A light lunch or a picnic is far more relaxed.

If the thought of being alone with an almost stranger terrifies you, then meet up in a group or suggest a group activity. You can then get to know each other in a more relaxed way.

Remember, the idea of a first date is to see whether you'd like a second date either romantically or just as friends. This applies to everyone who dates, not just if you are a senior dating. If the date doesn't work out, then move on. That's the whole idea of a first date – to test the waters.

A word of caution, as with all forms of dating, be safe. Meet in a busy area and always tell a friend or family who you are meeting, and where. If at any time something doesn't feel right, then leave.

Finally, the whole purpose of a date is to have a good time, no matter whether you are 16 or 60. Senior dating can be fun and along the way you could make some great new friends and maybe even meet that someone special.