Doctor's joy for children's lives

It was a children's party with a difference as all of the babies at the celebration in Wolverhampton would not have been there this Christmas without the miracle of fertility treatment.

Hundreds of children and their proud parents sang carols at St Jude's Women's Hospital in Penn Road on Saturday. All of the youngsters came into the world as a result of IVF treatment received from experts at the centre.

Father Christmas was there meet the children but the mothers and fathers were there to thank the man who had given them the greatest gift of their lives - Dr Jude Adeghe.

The medical director set up the hospital 10 years ago.

He said it was a fantastic feeling to see them all so happy now their dreams had come true. He said: "They are all my babies and they are making all of these people so very happy."

Dr Adeghe and Lord Turner of Bilston, who opened the centre a decade ago, led the carol singing.

As part of the anniversary celebrations the hospital is giving away £12,000 worth of IVF treatment to three couples.

Lord Bilston drew the lucky winners out of a hat at the party and they will find out who has won.

Darren Braggs, aged 34, and Alison Greenhill, 35, had to pay for their treatment at the centre.

Mr Braggs, of Woodhall Road, Penn said that they bought one and got two free as Miss Greenhill gave birth to triplets Amelia, Freya and Evie, 11 months ago.

He said: "It's a lot of money, you can't put a price on what we've got now."

Paul and Sharon Baldwin were trying for nine years before they considered IVF. Mr Baldwin, 36, said it took two treatments before his 33-year-old wife gave birth to Elise, now aged 10 months.

By Daniel Pountney