London: The parents of Britain’s biggest family admitted to being ‘utterly devastated’ on Monday after losing their 17th baby. Sue Radford went for her 12-week scan on Monday morning only to find the child due in April had died. Sue (38) and husband Noel (41) said: "It's with such sadness that we have to say our beautiful baby's heartbeat stopped two days ago. We are utterly devastated beyond words."

Only yesterday the couple revealed that they are preparing to welcome their 17th baby home. Supermom Sue Radford, a baker's wife, on Sunday said: “We are so excited to announce Radford baby 17 will be joining this family in April. But Sue, due to give birth in April, added: “I feel so sick. Whoever named it morning sickness was lying. Try morning, noon and night sickness!” She described her daily routine as “like a military operation” but claimed she didn't find it hard to bring up their nine sons and seven daughters. “It’s not as if they have landed from space,” she said. “This has happened over 22 years and we’ve adjusted. Now, looking after them is fairly easy.” They have added to their brood once every 17 months on an average for 23 years.

The family became famous when they were featured in a 2011 documentary '15 Kids And Counting'. Their total count rose to 16 in October last year when Sue gave birth to son Casper. Sue first became pregnant at 14 and she and Noel were determined to keep the baby as they were given up for adoption. The couple married at 18 and even became grandparents last year when Sophie, 19, gave birth to Daisy.