WHEN Jen Harris became a mum, one of things that surprised her the most wasn't how demanding being a parent can be or how much life changes. It was how little local information she could find on local activities for babies and pre-school children to enjoy.

It inspired the 32-year-old from Heavitree to set up her own website, www.exeterbabies.co.uk, and pack it full of information on places to go and things to do.

One of the most popular areas is the playgroup section which not only lists day by day a large number of local groups, but also includes a review of each group to give parents an idea of what they can expect.

The reviews also inspired Jen to include a best baby change section having experienced the dilemma of not knowing where baby change facilities were, or which ones were the nicest.

The website went live last June and it is already proving to be a vital source of information for local parents.

Jen said: "I didn't know any mums before Nancy was born. When you have a baby it can be quite isolating. Nancy was born in the winter which made it harder, but since I've done the website and started selling nappies I've made so many new friends.

"Some of those I have meet through playgroups. I was surprised at how many groups there were hidden away and some were really good, yet they were struggling because people didn't know about them.

"You can find playgroups by trawling the internet, but I thought it would be so much easier if they were all in one place and organised by day. It just seemed to make sense.

"It's not run by the government or a franchise, it's an information service from a personal point of view.

"Everything I put on the website I like to try myself or personally review it.

"What I'm doing is just trying to provide people with information and help bring people together.

"There is a link on the website to my Facebook page and through that I met up with a bunch of mums for the first time this week in Exeter who wanted to meet up with other mums."

Now that the website is becoming better know, Jen also receives information about local pre-school groups from baby signing to post-natal fitness classes you can take children along to.

Jen said: "I am going to put a page on the website about Exeter Central Library, because there are a couple of things going on there like storytelling time on Fridays and regular bounce and rhyme sessions. They are free yet not everybody knows about them.

"I want there to be more things on there in the future and certainly every playgroup in town so people can find them. I'd also like to add a what's on section.

"People now send me details of their playgroups all the time so the list is growing and growing."

The website also contains information about reusable nappies. Since using them on her daughter, Nancy, now two, Jen has become an independent nappy advisor.

She has 10 trial real nappy kits which people can borrow for free and with no obligation for one month. Jen also hosts regular nappuccino coffee mornings in Heavitree when she demonstrates the different nappies available and how they work.

To add something to the website or for more information, call Jen on 01392 493604.