Research by website Netmums and phone giants BT showed that only 36 per cent of mums polled would now turn to their own mum or sister for tips first.

Instead, more than 46 per cent of North West mums now head to the worldwide web for advice on parenting skills, baby health and other maternity tips.

Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of Netmums, said: "It's astonishing how important the internet has become to mums of today.

"Right across the country, mums from all walks of life use the internet for social interaction, support and advice, whether they live just down the road or 400 miles away.

"The internet is now a well-established lifeline to many mums and this study shows that when they need a sounding-board, they will log on."

The study also found that 63 per cent of new mums use the internet heavily.

Layton mother of three, Ruby Coupe, from Peel Avenue, who also used the net for parenting tips and took part in the study, said she was an avid internet user but had to fight with her children for access to the family PC.

"It's a really useful tool to help the children with their studies," the 32-year-old, who lives with partner Tom Welsh, 30, and home educates her three children James, 13, Adam, 10, and Chris, nine.

"I also like to go online to see what's going on locally and for social networking.

"My partner Tom runs a computer business called Virusbusters so we've always got a computer around.

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"I use it to sell my photography and art, too, and enjoy shopping online and home deliveries."

She also believes that increased use of the internet by mothers can have many benefits.

"I have had three children already, so I don't particularly need parenting advice but I think if mum's are using the internet it's a good thing," she said.

"It's there at the touch of a button and you can find information, perhaps about health.

"First-time mums may be embarrassed so it's a good confidential and anonymous way of finding out."