Woman has dead husband's IVF baby

Diana and Peter in happier times

A woman whose husband died two and a half years ago has given birth to his daughter after IVF treatment.

Diana Scott, 44, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, had 6lb baby girl Grace earlier this week in a Bath hospital.

Mrs Scott and her husband Peter, 56, had been trying for a child before he was diagnosed with lung cancer just under three years ago.

After his death in February 2002, she underwent fertility treatment using his frozen sperm.

Mr Scott had given his written permission for her to continue with their plans for a baby, and on her fifth and final IVF attempt, his widow became pregnant.

Earlier this year, Mrs Scott, who runs the couple's chandlery business, told BBC News Online she was not worried about being an older mum, but was nervous about being a single parent.

She said: "There is something of Peter ongoing and something that will carry on."

A friend of Mrs Scott, who is still in hospital, said: "She has given birth to a baby with an embryo fertilised by her late husband's sperm. It's terrific."