A surrogate mother has vowed never again after giving birth to her fifth child.

Jill Hawkins has had more surrogate babies than any other childless woman in Britain.

Most surrogate mums have children of their own before giving birth to a child for another couple. But Jill has never wanted children of her own and says she does not intend to have any.

Jill, a legal secretary, of Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, said: "This will be my last pregnancy, definitely. I have no intention of doing it again.

"I have had five happy, healthy children and five problem-free pregnancies - so what more could I possibly ask for?

"I think I have achieved a lot in the past decade. It's been a fantastic experience but now it's time to stop. I don't want to push my luck."

Jill, 38, was paid £12,000 to conceive, carry and give birth to baby Callum, who weighed 8lb 3oz.

The new baby is a brother for one-year-old Euan, Jill's fourth surrogate child.

She said: "I have always wanted to have two children for one family so it really fulfilled an ambition for me when I got pregnant with Callum.

"It happened very quickly, on the first attempt, when Euan was just three months.

"This time round the pregnancy was more tiring but there were no complications. Callum was a very active baby. He was lovely to carry. He kicked and moved around all the time.

"It is an incredible feeling when a baby is moving around inside you. You feel this power, like you are truly giving life. And you know you are helping a dream to come true."

Callum is now living in Kent with his parents, who wish to remain anonymous.

The couple turned to surrogacy after the woman developed cervical cancer and needed a hysterectomy at the age of 31.

Jill became very close to Callum and Euan's parents after living with them for several weeks before the birth.

"I do feel a bit lonely and weepy at the moment, mainly because I miss the family. I also miss being pregnant, which is a feeling I have always loved.

"Giving up the children has been a little bit easier each time, although there is always a hormonal sadness involved. But this time it was very hard to say goodbye to Euan and Callum's mum and dad.

"Living with them was great because I could see Euan changing and growing. I could see what fantastic parents they were and how much they loved him. But I never wished he was living with me. I never once felt he was mine."

Jill sees her two oldest surrogate children every six months. She is not in touch with her third child, who is autistic. But she hopes to strike a closer bond with her two youngest sons because of her close relationship with their parents.

She is keen to publicise the need for more surrogate mums. There are about 40 women surrogates in Britain but many more parents are waiting to have a surrogate child.

Jill also denies the accusation that she is a baby machine.

She said: "Becoming a surrogate is a wonderful way of helping those who long for a baby to become parents. What could be more worthwhile than that?

"The money is nice but I don't do it for the money. I am very proud of what I have done and I've made some wonderful friends.

"But now it is time for me to look forward to the rest of my life.

"Having been a surrogate has helped me gain confidence and experience. When I first got into it 12 years ago I was quite a naive and shy sort of person. Now I feel confident enough to go travelling, go back to college and study some more, concentrate on myself at last.

"I am planning a trip to New York for the new year and I'm about to move house so everything is really looking up for me. I have helped four couples to achieve their dream of becoming a family."