THE Trowbridge woman at the centre of a legal battle to have a child of her own will take her fight to the appeal courts next week.

Natallie Evans will put her case to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to prevent frozen embryos she created with a former partner being destroyed.

Her solicitor, Muiris Lyons, of Trowbridge-based firm Withy King, said: "She now has the opportunity of a full appeal and is confident the Court of Appeal will accept that she should be allowed to use her embryos to try for the baby she has always wanted."

The six embryos were created by Miss Evans and her former fianc, Howard Johnston, to give them the chance to have a child after treatment for ovarian cancer left her infertile.

The couple split up in May 2002 after three years together and Mr Johnston withdrew his permission for the embryos to be used.

Miss Evans launched a legal battle to save them but, in October last year, a High Court decision ruled the embryos must be destroyed.

Under current legislation both parties involved must give permission for embryos to be implanted.

This ground-breaking case could pave the way for many other women to challenge the destruction of embryos created with partners who later change their minds.

Miss Evans is fighting her battle on the grounds that if she had become pregnant naturally the child's father would not have the right to determine the future of the embryo and that it is too late for Mr Johnston to remove his permission.

Her legal team will also argue that, under European human rights legislation, the embryos have a right to life.

The appeal is expected to be a two-day hearing and the judgment is likely to be given at the end of those two days.