AN infertility charity says it has been overwhelmed at the response to its first information day in the North-East.

More than 100 out of 150 free places at next Sunday's event, at the Centre for Life, Newcastle, have been snapped up, according to the CHILD Infertility Support Network.

The interest in hearing more about what is available may reflect the patchy nature of NHS infertility treatment across the region. This varies widely with some health authorities spending £2m a year on the service and others spending nothing.

Earlier this year, Derwentside and Durham Primary Care Trust, along with Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, warned couples in their areas that they will have to wait until 2011 for NHS fertility treatment.

This is because the demand for IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment has increased so rapidly in the past two years.

However, there are hopes a review of NHS fertility treatment by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) will lead to improved access to services for women.

Dr Alison Murdoch, consultant at the Newcastle Fertility Centre for Life and one of the speakers at the June 15 event, said: "There are huge variations in access in the region, both in terms of the time they have to wait for treatment and the criteria of who can and who can't.

"Age is the main thing and whether they have already had children to other partners," she added.

Anyone wishing to attend is asked to book by contacting Sheena Young, director of business development at CHILD, on (01294) 218868 or 07710 764162.