The 'barbaric' practice of female genital mutilation has been condemned by councillors in Hounslow as latest figures show more than 200 victims were seen in four years at West Middlesex Hospital.

FGM involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia. It is illegal in the UK but is practised in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

At West Middlesex Hospital, in Isleworth, 201 women gave birth between 2009 and 2012 with signs of FGM, including 48 in 2012, the latest year for which figures are available.

Councillors at last night's borough council meeting backed a motion, proposed by Conservative councillor Barbara Harris and amended by Labour member Lily Bath, condemning the practice.

Ms Bath's amendment recognised the 'good work' already being done to prevent FGM and committed the council to investigating the extent of the problem in Hounslow. It also called on the borough's MPs Seema Malhotra and Mary Macleod to lobby for more rigorous legislation to stamp it out.

"This council condemns the barbaric practice of FGM, which is diabolical and degrading to the dignity of women," the motion read.

"This council finds no justification for FGM on either medical, religious or any other grounds; all it does is cause great pain and suffering."

FGM, which is usually performed on young girls, can be incredibly painful and can lead to infertility or an increased risk of complications with childbirth, among other long-term conditions.

Ms Harris said she decided to speak out against the atrocity after watching a TV report.

"Hounslow needs to confront the issue head on and give a voice to the victims that are afraid to speak out," she said.

Ms Bath claimed the current systems in place nationally were 'failing to protect' those who had been mutilated or were at risk of mutilation.

She said a coordinated response was needed locally by the council and its partners, including the police and healthcare providers.