The oldest abortion centre in the UK has closed after fifty years.

The Calthorpe Clinic in Birmingham became the single largest abortion facility in the UK with an annual caseload of around 10,000 clients.

It had a chequered safety record with one of its doctors found guilty of professional misconduct in 2003 after one woman almost died under his care. It is also alleged to have carried out sex-selective abortions.  Many of its clients were Irish.

Christians have prayed and offered help to women outside the clinic for decades.

Rachel Mackenzie who herself once had an abortion at this centre went on to become a regular prayer volunteer outside the gates, said ‘I am so relieved that no more children will have their lives ended here as my son once did.’ Another woman who regretted her abortion there and who also became part of the Christian 40 Days for Life campaign outside the clinic, Linda Hope,  said ‘I want other women to know there’s a better option than that pain. No one told me, so I want to be the voice that tells them’.