A mother-of-three has set up what is believed to be the first post-natal depression (PND) support group in Norfolk.

Naomi Farrow, of Holt, is organising monthly meetings in Norwich which are open to anyone with PND who wants to talk to people in a similar situation.

'It gives people a chance to escape from their homes and children, and catch up with other mothers who are going through the same sorts of problems,' Mrs Farrow said.

Last year she set up a Facebook page to act as a meeting place for mothers, which now has hundreds of members, and this month she launched the first meeting of the PND support group in Norwich.

Mrs Farrow, a former marketing executive, began suffering from PND after giving birth to twins Erin and Tess.

She said there was a gap in provision of PND services, with mothers offered cognitive behavioural therapy, which Mrs Farrow does not believe is effective.

She favours counselling but said the mothers faced a three-month wait before being able to access a session.

'I think most mothers need counselling, which is why the group meetings are as informal as possible,' she said.

'That's why we're holding the meetings in the bar, so people can come along and if they want to talk they can, but they can also just listen.'

Earlier this year the government announced a £290m cash injection into ante and post-natal depression services, and Mrs Farrow said she hoped some of that money would make its way to Norfolk.

She has met with members of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's Wellbeing Service to discuss how PND services can be improved in the region.

The meetings are the first Monday of every month (next meeting on April 4) at The Wine Cellar, Norwich, from 7.30pm. Mothers can simply turn up to a meeting but if you would like more information first you can email gmotfw@gmail.com

•Do you have a mental health story? Email nicholas.carding@archant.co.uk