Ref. 26537-27Infertile couples in Swindon fear a desperate shortage of egg donors will worsen dramatically when a Government decision to remove anonymity comes into force.

The new rule covering sperm, egg and embryo harvesting kicks in from April 2005.

It means babies born as a result of donations after then will be able to track their donor parent down when they reach 18.

The move has been welcomed by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority.

But women waiting for treatment are terrified it will mean they have even less chance of having a baby.

One couple, from Lyneham, have already gone through four unsuccessful courses of IVF treatment and now feel they have been given a year's deadline, even though the waiting list they are on is up to three years long.

Jane and Ian, who do not want to be identified, fear that their already slim chances of having a child may be reduced to nil.

Jane, 39, said the prospect of receiving an unexpected knock on the door 18 years later would put many donors off.

"I can only imagine that the new rule is going to deter people. It would deter me," she said.

"It is very difficult to get people to donate eggs as it is."

The couple, who have so far spent more than £3,500 in their quest for a child, are on the waiting list for treatment at St Bartholomew's Hospital, in London.

They expect to pay another £4,000 for treatment and associated costs.

Margaret Cremin, from Purton, whose son Mitchell, two, was born with the aid of IVF treatment and an egg donor, said: "There is already a desperate shortage of egg donors and this is going to make it worse."

She said sperm, egg and embryo donation were very different from giving a child up for adoption.

She says she understands why adopted children are given the information to trace their natural parents

But she said: "Mitchell is my son. I grew him, I gave birth to him.

"He will always be aware of how much he was wanted and how he was conceived.

"We have been very open about it and I hope he will never feel the need to find out about his genetic parent."

Under the current 1990 Human Fertility and Embryology Act children can be told at 18 if they were conceived using donors.

Margaret, 46, has tried for another child using egg donation, but it failed and she is now embarking on an embryo implantation.

Facts about egg donation

Egg, sperm or embryo donors will remain anonymous until 2005.

Under the new system the donors of eggs, sperm or embryos may be traced by their genetic offspring, although donors will not have financial or legal responsibilities for the child.

Anyone who would like to help an infertile couple by donating can contact St Bartholmew's Hospital on 0207 6017176, quoting reference number 174. Alternatively, you can e-mail ruth.pellow@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk.

The reference number will help to put Jane and Ian first in line for a suitable donor.

Tina Clarke