A social worker is on a "mission" to help others find true love through a niche dating site.

Tia Folivi, 36, of Kensington Drive, Woodford Green, decided to develop a career in the online dating industry after hearing about her friends' constant woes in trying to find a partner. 

The married mother-of-two started researching the subject and found a survey by OKCupid, which found black, Asian and Latino women were under-represented and were the least contacted groups on dating sites. 

In response, she has launched www.womenofcolourdating.com, which is specifically aimed at professional men and women of colour.

She said: "My circle of friends are of a similar age and many are beautiful professional single women who cannot find a long-term partner.

"A lot of these women simply do not have the time as such to go out and search for a partner, and some find relationships fall apart as men are intimidated by their success. 

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"Also, I find as women get older they do become more selective." 

Mrs Folivi believes the growing online dating industry is experiencing a shift with less "negativity" around finding love through the internet. 

But, she argues, women are still under-represented on sites such as Match.com. 

Adding: "Many of the mainstream sites are tailored towards western society and do not take into account cultural values. 

"There is also this misconception that men on dating sites just want to have fun and are not serious about having a relationship."

She describes her "mission" as a "good gesture from someone who knows what it’s like to experience the joys of having a soul mate." 

There is a £7 introductory fee to sign up and users can register for a three or six month period.

To find out more, click here.