Sharon Stone is ''available for dating'' again.

The 'Basic Instinct' actress admitted she was more focused on her children - Roan, 13, Laird, eight, and seven-year-old Quinn - ''when they were little'' but now they're a bit older she is ''comfortable'' with trying to find a new relationship.

She told Extra's Mario Lopez: ''What's happened is my kids have reached the age where I feel comfortable to date.

''I didn't want to date when they were little. Who needs a bunch of people running in and out of their lives?

''Now I feel comfortable dating ... I am available for dating.''

The star - who was previously married to Michael Greenberg and Phil Bronstein - has been recently linked to her old friend Antonio Banderas, who split from his wife Melanie in May.

A source previously said: ''Antonio and Sharon have been great friends for years.

''They have always flirted outrageously and now they're closer than ever.

''It's all very relaxed at the moment and they want to keep it quiet out of respect for Melanie, but there's no denying the spark is there.''

However, the speculation was later quashed.