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A single mum of eight says she is planning to have more children - so she can claim more benefits and get a bigger council house.

And Marie Buchan claims she will use a surrogate for the pregnancies because she cannot have more children naturally.

She also said it was “her right” to have as many children as she wanted, the Birmingham Mail reports.

Ms Buchan, 32, ignored doctors’ advice to stop getting pregnant in order to have her eighth child.

She lives in a three-bedroom rented house in Selly Oak, Birmingham, with her children Tia, aged 12, Leah, 11, Latoya, eight, Joshua, seven, Alisha, five, Mikayla, three, Amelia, two, and eight month old Olivia.

She has had an on-off relationship with the children’s father since they were teenagers.

Ms Buchan now needs a hysterectomy, but says she will use a surrogate in order to have two more babies.

She said that having 10 children would allow her to claim more benefits, which could add an extra £70 a week to the state handouts she already receives.

(Image: BPM)

Ms Buchan, who currently costs taxpayers £2,200 a month or £26,400 a year, would then also then be in line for a five bedroom council house.

She told Closer magazine: “I was devastated when doctors told me I couldn’t have more. I love being pregnant and surrounded by kids.

“If I can’t have more babies myself, the next best thing would be to use a surrogate.

“I’ll get more benefits too - it’s easy to claim off the state. People might criticise me, but it’s my right to have as many children as I want.”

Jonathan Isaby, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, criticised her plans, saying: “People can’t expect the taxpayer to pick up the bill if they want to keep having children.”

Ms Buchan made headlines earlier this year after she had 10 bus lane tickets quashed after pleading financial hardship.