'Heartbreak of fathers who may never see their babies'

Homosexual father Barrie Drewitt Barlow revealed how six gay couples are in a "huge panic" over India's ban.

Mr Drewitt Barlow, who runs the British Surrogacy Centre with his partner Tony, and is advising the couples, said embryos had been transferred to women acting as "wombs-for-hire" but the men fear they will never see the children.

The Essex father-of-five, whose children were conceived through US surrogate mothers, warned all Britons against using surrogacy in India. He claimed pimps there are forcing prostitutes into surrogacy, and families sell daughters into the service.

"We think ethically it's not the place to carry out surrogacy because women are being exploited," he said. "Most couples go there because it's a cheap option. We discovered the squalor some of these surrogate mothers were living in was disgraceful.

"I've heard of two virgins, both 19, sold by their parents. These girls have recently given birth for two German couples. Both are now pregnant again.

"I've had at least five emails today from clinics in Mumbai and Hyderabad wanting me to send them English couples who need surrogates. Remember, surrogacy in India is very big business."