JACKIE Smith has had ten babies, but only six of them call her mum.

The other four were surrogate children - and the Tilbury mother may even be pregnant with her fifth.

But the surrogate children are not completely out of her life. In fact, she is being made godmother to the most recent child, Isabella.

Her living room wall is decorated with pictures of all ten children, who range in age from three months to 18 years old.

Jackie, 38, who lives with her husband, Kevin, in St Chads Road (and is pictured with children Lorraine, Andrew, Michael, Caroline and Jamie) said: "I used to think that when the baby was born, you wouldn't speak to the couple again. They got what they wanted and wouldn't mix with someone like me, a poor person from Tilbury.

"But you do get close to them.

"I have become friends with Isabella's parents. They are so special. I feel lucky I have met them."

Isabella's mother was visiting yesterday afternoon.

She said: "It has completely changed my life. I can't imagine life without Isabella now. It has been a dream come true for us.

"Jackie has been fantastic. I certainly have got a new friend as well as a daughter."

Isabella was the only child born using the mother's embryo, making Jackie the host mother. Jackie believes this made it easier on handover day, although it was still a difficult experience.

She explained: "The first time I didn't think I would ever get over it. I walked away from the hospital and it hit me - 'my baby has gone.' You smell the baby everywhere, you hear it and you are leaking milk. I wished I was dead for a time. But within weeks I didn't feel like that. I would still cry, but it changes. And each time it gets easier.

Jackie first started to consider it because a friend couldn't have children. She started with egg donation and moved on to surrogacy almost ten years ago. She said: "I always had a low opinion of myself. But for nine months I feel a very special person.

"It is nice to do something that changes someone's life. When I watch them walking down the path, I think 'that's because of me'.

"It is an overwhelming love, the love for a child. I want others to feel that."