WHILE the number of dating sites on the internet can seem overwhelming, there are relatively few places on the web where people can just make friends.

However, this month saw the launch of KnowingU, a website dedicated to bringing like-minded people together.

KnowingU is the brainchild of Glynis Morgan, 54, from Canterbury, who came up with the idea after she split up with her long-term partner.

Glynis said: "Basically after the break-up I trawled the internet looking for just friends. I wasn’t at all interested in dating, but I couldn’t find anything appropriate, so I had the idea for this website.

"I didn’t know much about the technology, so I approached Haydon Rouse from Saxon Internet Solutions, and we set it up together."

KnowingU members can place their own profile on the site and define how much information is visible to other searchers.

Everyone can view other people’s profiles and request another person to be their friend. Contact is made by internal e-mail so people can get to know one another at their own pace.

There is also a groups’ area where events and outings can be organised so if members want to do anything from tap dancing to rock-climbing, others can be invited or may request to join that group.

As well as a chat forum and chat room pages there is a blog area for a personal online diary.

Since KnowingU was launched earlier this month, more than 50 people have joined up, and Glynis has plans for further expansion.

"Eventually we want to go nationwide, but obviously you’ve got to start small," she said.

KnowingU is free to join and can be found at www.knowingu.co.uk.