The region's leading infertility expert has called for 'discriminatory' IVF treatment rules to be relaxed.

Professor Alison Murdoch, head of fertility services at Newcastle's Centre of Life was speaking after widespread publicity about a 66 year old Rumanian woman who gave birth after receiving donated eggs and sperm.

In the North-East there is a 45 year age limit for women seeking IVF treatment on the NHS but Prof Murdoch stresses that this is because of the shortage of donated eggs more than anything else.

"If anybody out there wants to be an egg or sperm donor we would love to hear from you. They are a precious resource and we have people who are waiting years for treatment," she added.

While Prof Murdoch feels it is inappropriate to comment on the case of Adriana Iliescu, who had nine years of fertility treatment, she said the rules surrounding the availability of IVF treatment in the UK are too strict.

"At the moment the rules are discriminatory. The rest of us can have babies without having to ask anyone else whether they think it is suitable that we have a family. However, if you need fertility treatment, using your own egg and your own sperm there has to be some sort of assessment," said Prof Murdoch.

"Some people are suggesting that it should be almost the same as if you were adopting. That is quite inappropriate," she added.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) launched a public consultation earlier this month on how far fertility clinics should probe the background of potential parents.

By law, clinics must consider the welfare of any child born through fertility treatment but the way this is done varies considerably.

The HFEA consultation period is due to end in April and Dr Murdoch urged people to take part by visiting the website www.hfea.gov.uk

In cases where women are seeking donated eggs, the Newcastle clinic has an age limit of 45 because of the severe shortage of eggs.

"We are not saying older women would not be good parents we are saying that we simply don't have enough eggs to treat everybody so we have to put some arbitrary limit on it."

*To donate eggs or sperm contact 0191 219 4740.