10 is the 'perfect number of partners to have had in the past'

However, people who had fewer than 10 lovers were considered inexperienced in the latest survey by a dating website.

The researchers found that both men and women were put off by potential new partners who had more than 10 lovers, as they were seen as promiscuous, the 'Daily Mail' reported .

Both men and women said that ten lovers was the right 'Goldilocks' answer.

In the survey, the dating site asked 1000 of its male and female members to list how many lovers they wanted their partners had in the past.

Around half of women, and 46 per cent of men said ten was the perfect figure, whereas 36 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men said they'd prefer a date with a less experienced person.

As many as 11 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men said between 10 and 30 was the perfect figure, with just 3 per cent of people wanting a partner who had more than 30 lovers in the past.

Those polled were also asked if they wanted to know how many lovers a new partner had in their past.

Just 35 per cent of women wanted to know a man's total - against 65 per cent who would rather not find out.

For men, only 30 per cent wanted to know a woman's sexual history, against 70 per cent who said they would rather not find out.

The results give a fascinating insight into dating etiquette and suggest men are less tolerant of promiscuity than woman.

"The dating game is changing so quickly. I think we are all becoming a lot more tolerant and sexually adventurous," SeekingArrangement founder Brandon Wade said.