As the World Wide Web becomes a more community-minded place, the number of local information sites is booming. Carol Schoultz of Bromley got in touch with WebWatch to talk about hers, which aims to take some of the stress out of motherhood, writes CHRIS STEEL ...

NETMUMS is a not a directory of information but rather a site which invites mums to comment on their observations on bringing up youngsters in Bromley.

The reason for this, as organiser Carol Schoultz points out, is most mums find out the most useful information by speaking to other mums.

So, the 27-year-old mum-of-one — with another on the way — set up a branch of Netmums to offer women in the borough a forum where they could share their views with as many mums as possible.

She told us: “Netmums.com is about helping mums in our community by providing them with a source of local information and support — where the best local playgroup is, where to go with a toddler, where the most child-friendly restaurants are and so on.

“We’re trying to pool all that information and experience for the benefit of all mums.

“We’re particularly keen to get new mums on board, as they often feel depressed and a bit lost in the first few months with their new child.” “Netmums is distinctive from other information sources in that it is very local. It aims to satisfy the mums’ needs by providing information on what is available in the community — in each town and district.

The first netmums site was launched in Harrow in November 2000.

The idea proved so popular, there are now around 46 sites nationwide, including Bexley, and there are plans to launch new sites in Lewisham, Greenwich, Dartford and Gravesham.

Netmums was started in Harrow by local mums, on a voluntary basis, and similar help is needed in our local boroughs.

If you would like to find out more, email enquiries@netmums. com or visit their website at www.netmums.com/bromley or www.netmums.com/bexley