IVF help 'only if you are a blonde'

A woman trying to have a baby by IVF has been told that her fertility treatment has been delayed because she does not have blonde hair and blue eyes.

Helen McCrave, a brunette, had agreed to donate some of her eggs for other couples as part of the treatment, but was told that couples on their books are only interested in blonde donors.

Mrs McCrave's fallopian tubes are blocked although her eggs are healthy. She and her husband have been trying for a baby unsuccessfully for four years.

The 32-year-old has had two cycles of IVF treatmentat the Peninsular Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Exeter and a third phase was due to take place in October.

She said: "They told me that they were cancelling my treatment in October because I did not have blonde hair and blue eyes." She is now at a different centre.

Jonathan West, a specialist at the clinic, said matching donors' physical features was common practice. "We have not said we can't accept her eggs. It's really a question of who we have on our books at any time."