London, Jul 25 (IANS): One child is born in Britain every 40 seconds, according to latest official figures.

Experts said the country's soaring birth rate was due to mass immigration that has left hospitals buckling under pressure.

One in every four babies born in 2009 was to a migrant mother, the Daily Express reported.

Government statistics said the high birth rate among immigrant families was a significant factor in the baby boom, while there has also been a rise in the number of British women giving birth.

Maternity units in hospitals across the country were forced to close temporarily to new admissions at least 1,055 times last year, due to under-staffing or lack of beds.

Paul Nuttall, member of the European Parliament, said: "Lowering the borders has caused this problem and successive governments have downplayed the sheer numbers involved."

"Most migrants come from places with a culture of more children and less social security and they are bringing their culture with them."