More than 1,350 mums within a 15 mile radius of Kings Langley, which includes Watford, have downloaded a free app to enable them to meet up with one another.

When women sign up to Mush they state where they live, the ages of their children and their interests, the app then enables them to connect with others in their area, similar to modern dating apps.

Group events and mum dates being arranged through the app seek to help mums who are pregnant, new to the area, those who are struggling to get out with their baby or who just want to widen their social circle to meet others like them. It also provides safety guidelines about meeting new people.

Lucy McRae, 45, from Kings Langley, is mum to five year old Oliver and three year old Sophie and she admits to finding it hard to meet people at first.

“When I became a mum I had just moved to this area. I had a new baby and my whole life changed, so all of a sudden I didn’t have as much in common with my existing friends who had older children and lived far away. Being a new mum is really tough as you’re exhausted and emotional, so it can be a lonely time if you don’t know others in the same position who can share what you’re experiencing.

“I did ante-natal classes and met a fantastic group of mums who still continue to be a wonderful support, but I also quickly realised that I needed to make a massive effort to meet more mums who lived nearby with babies of a similar age.

“There are loads of great play groups and classes in Watford and beyond, but it can be nerve-wracking trying to strike up conversations in a big group of people you don’t know. I wish Mush had existed five years ago when I first became a mum.”

According to an independent survey commissioned by Mush in 2016 of 4,000 mothers, half found it hard to plan with kids, found it hard to make local mum friends and go to the shops primarily for adult interaction. On top of that around 80 percent prefer to go to playgroup with a friend and think having mum friends makes you a happier, more positive mum and 60 per cent go a full day without adult interaction.

The app was launched the same year and now has more than 60,000 members across the country. It was set up by two mums from south west London who met in a rainy playground and formed a friendship – they had no tech experience, but made it their mission that no mum should do it alone. They want Mush to be the largest social network for mums globally.

Search for Mush on the Google Play or App Store.