An increasing number of British Muslim brides are having controversial pre-marriage "virginity repair" operations at taxpayers expense.

According to the Daily Express, British taxpayers funded 116 hymen replacements on the NHS between 2005 and 2009.

Official figures revealed that there were 30 operations in 2009 - up 25 per cent from 24 in 2005.

Private clinics report a huge surge in demand for the procedure, costing between 1,800 and 4,000 pounds.

It means the taxpayer has forked out up to 400,000 pounds over the four years to fund the half-hour operation.

Doctors say young Muslim women are under pressure from future husbands or relatives who insist they should be virgins.

The NHS says it does the operation only for "clinical need". (ANI)