A HIGH Court judge has re-served judgement in a Melksham woman's battle to save her frozen embryos from being destroyed.

After a week's hearing in London Mr Justice Wall may not deliver his verdict in the landmark case until September.

Natallie Evans, 31, successfully underwent IVF treatment with partner Howard Johnston, 26, but the couple split up last summer.

Mr Johnson then withdrew consent to the storage and use of the embryos, asking for them to be destroyed.

Miss Evans sought to challenge the existing law, which states that unless both parties consent to storage and use the embryos must be destroyed.

She is fighting her case with Lorraine Hedley, 38, from Sandwell, West Midlands, who is in a similar position.

Miss Evans had six frozen embryos placed in storage before she had treatment for ovarian cancer, which left her infertile.

Mr Justice Wall heard evidence and arguments from the women's legal team, as well as lawyers representing their former partners, the two clinics involved, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Secretary of State for Health.

Miss Evans' solicitor Muiris Lyons, of Bath-based Withy King, said: "The case raises a number of difficult legal, ethical and moral issues which will need to be resolved.

"Both Natallie and Lorraine are glad to have had the opportunity to explain their predicament and why these embryos are so important to them."