More females in their 40s are stocking up on all in one suits, if new research is anything to go by.

According to data released by the Office for National Statistics, the number of females giving birth over the age of 40 has rocketed over the past year.

Some 26,976 tots were born to ladies in this age category in England and Wales during 2009 - representing a 50 per cent hike over the past decade.

However, the birth rate for those under 35 has fallen and the overall number of live births also dropped for the first time since 2001.

Reviewing the findings, researcher and author of family books Patricia Morgan told the Daily Mail said some people are waiting "endlessly" to start a family.

"What is happening is that women in their 20s and 30s are delaying families because they have to pay the mortgage, and you need two earners for that these days," she remarked.

A spokeswoman for parenting website mothers35plus said older females tend to feel "more settled", according to the Daily Express.

Posted by Eileen KirkADNFCR-3005-ID-19800638-ADNFCR