AN appeal for egg donors to help childless couples has struck a chord with North-East women.

It is believed that six women who would like to be considered as egg donors have contacted the Newcastle Fertility Centre.

It follows an exclusive article in The Northern Echo which explained how Diane and Andrew Morris overcame their infertility problems.

Last month, Diane, 34, of Stanley, County Durham, gave birth to a daughter, Meaghan, after IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment at the Newcastle clinic.

It was a remarkable triumph over adversity after Diane was told she would probably not be able to have another child following an unsuccessful ectopic pregnancy.

To thank the clinic staff and to help others in the same position, Diane volunteered to become an egg donor.

In the article, Dr Jane Stewart, one of the two consultant gynaecologists and obstetricians who run the centre, said: "We are desperately short of egg donors."

More than 40 childless couples are in the queue for eggs, but last year only six were donated at the Tyneside centre.

A spokeswoman for the Newcastle Fertility Centre said: "We have had at least half a dozen inquiries since the article appeared."

In some cases, IVF is not possible because a woman's ovaries may not function normally or her eggs may not be suitable. The alternative for such couples is egg donation from another woman.

Using the man's sperm to fertilise the egg, the resulting embryo is placed in the womb of the recipient woman.

* Anyone who is interested in becoming an egg donor can ring 0191-219 4740 for further information