Natallie EvansA 33-YEAR-OLD woman has launched a final bid to save her frozen embryos, by taking her fight to the European courts.

Natallie Evans, of Bowmans Court, Melksham, lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights on Monday to argue that UK law, which requires her six stored embryos to be destroyed, is a breach of her human rights.

The embryos, fertilised by her former fianc, will only be stored until October 2006 and represent her last chance of having a baby after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, resulting in the removal of her ovaries.

Miss Evans told the Wiltshire Times: "There are these six little embryos which I count as my children and I would fight heaven and earth for my kids. I am their voice and it's my duty to protect them.

"There have been times when I have had enough and think I can't go on any more but there's a little voice in my head, probably the babies, saying 'mum don't give up'.

"I get really deflated and down and I'm always questioning it and thinking why me. I want to do the most natural thing in the world and be a mother and everyone's trying to stop me."

Miss Evans is feeling positive about her chances of success but does not want to get her hopes up.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much because there have been times before when I have been to court when I have been really positive and it still went against us," she said.

"I will feel gutted if this doesn't work out but then at least I can think to myself at least I tried every avenue."

Miss Evans, who is studying for an accountancy qualification, hopes she can prevent other women going through a similar ordeal.

She said: "I know this is going to happen again and I wouldn't want even mym worst enemy to go through what I'm going through."

She believes the embryos have a right to life of their own. This is an argument which has never been considered by the European Court of Human Rights and the test case ruling will impact on future cases. No date has been set for the hearing.

Miss Evans took a course of IVF treatment in 2001 with her then fianc, Howard Johnston.

Six embryos were created and placed in storage but the couple split up and Mr Johnston refused to give permission for them to be used.

Miss Evans applied to the High Court for the right to be able to use the embryos but was unsuccessful and was also turned down at the Court of Appeal.

The judges ruled that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 was clear that both parties must consent to the use of the embryos. She petitioned the House of Lords to appeal but it decided not to hear her case.

Miss Evans now has a new boyfriend. She said: "If I win he would stand by me. He would be legally the father."