This is the moment a woman set out to see how many commuters would give up their seat for an expectant mother - with shocking results.

As temperatures reached 77F (25C) in the capital last month, blogger Anna Whitehouse - aka @Mother_Pukka - took to London's Underground network wearing a fake baby bump as part of a social experiment on Brits' attitudes towards pregnant women.

Just four out of ten passengers offered to give up their seats, while a fifth person agreed to let Anna sit down after she asked him directly.

The mother-of-two, 36, was shocked by their attitudes and admitted she felt like an 'encumbrance' on her fellow commuters.

Anna said: 'I felt that perhaps I had to make a big deal out of being pregnant, like really put it on, rub the bump and failing that actually asking [for a seat], which makes you feel very uncomfortable.

'People are just not connected to what's going on around them.'

It comes after research that found just six in 10 commuters would give up their seat for an expectant mother.

The study of 2,000 regular users of public transport also found one in four commuters hadn't given up their seat for a woman who they suspected was pregnant, in case she wasn't actually expecting.

The study also found adults believe you don't need to offer mother-to-be a seat until she is visibly showing.

Researchers found the battle for a seat amid the morning or afternoon rush hour can lead to passengers neglecting their manners or failing to notice pregnant women.

Anna Whitehouse - aka @MotherPukka - took to London's Underground network wearing a fake baby bump as part of a social experiment on Brits' attitudes towards pregnant women

Anna waits in vain for a seat on the Northern Line. The experiment came after a study found adults believe you don't need to offer mother-to-be a seat until she is visibly showing

The research was commissioned by Mama Mio skincare as part of their I'm Expecting campaign which encourages expectant mums to not be afraid to ask someone to give up their seat.

Anna Whitehouse, who is an ambassador for the campaign, said: 'Pregnancy is not a weakness, but it is a vulnerability and I felt this during my first trimester in particular.

'Busy, hot, and cramped commuting conditions can be incredibly stressful both physically and mentally, and being able to sit down can make a difference.

'However, from my own experience, I find that people are either too engrossed in their phones to be aware of their surroundings, or won't offer their seat unless prompted.

Oblivious: Researchers found the battle for a seat amid the morning or afternoon rush hour can lead to passengers neglecting their manners or failing to notice pregnant women

Anna waits for a seat. The blogger, who is an ambassador for the campaign, said: 'Pregnancy is not a weakness, but it is a vulnerability and I felt this during my first trimester in particular'

Speaking about the experiment, Anna said: 'I felt that perhaps I had to make a big deal out of being pregnant, like really put it on, like rubbing the bump and failing that actually asking'

'I'd encourage anyone who needs a seat on public transport to wear a badge and make eye contact. If that fails, don't suffer in silence - ask for one!'

Natalie Cowley of Mama Mio added: 'We were surprised at the findings, as we'd expected everyone would offer up their seat to a pregnant woman.

'We were particularly shocked that only two per cent said you should offer a seat to a woman in her first trimester, considering how many suffer from severe symptoms during this time, including sickness and fatigue.'

The study also found that adults believe you don't need to offer mother-to-be a seat until she is visibly showing, with three in 10 saying so.

Eighteen per cent agreed you should offer a seat during a woman's third trimester, with 11 per cent saying you should during the second.

And just two per cent said you should offer up your seat when a woman is within her first 12 weeks of pregnancy.