Campaigners demanding new limits on abortion have vowed to continue the fight after the House of Commons threw out proposals for reform.

Cross-party proposals for new abortion limits of 12, 16, 20 or 22 weeks were all defeated in a series of free votes.

But pro-life campaigners said Parliament had defied overwhelming public opinion and vowed to continue pushing for later abortions to be outlawed.

Labour MP Ian Lucas said: "We will continue the fight to reflect the wishes of the public, and support the rights of the unborn child."

West Midlands MP Mark Pritchard (Con, The Wrekin) was told off by the Speaker during the abortion debate on Tuesday night, when he held up a picture of a foetus at 16 weeks, in breach of Commons rules.

Mr Pritchard told fellow MPs: "That picture and the one on my website is not a tissue blob or an unrecognisable collection of cells, but a living, small human being."

He asked whether it was right that 200,000 abortions a year were carried out in the UK.

The 22-week proposal, which had the personal support of Tory leader David Cameron, came the closest to success but was still rejected by 233 votes to 304, majority 71.

Gordon Brown voted against any reduction after insisting there was no medical evidence to justify a change in the law.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Defence Secretary Des Browne and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, all Roman Catholics, voted for the lowest limit available.

Opponents of reform welcomed the Commons decision. The Family Planning Association (FPA) attacked what it called "cynical" attempts by anti-abortionists to cut the limit.

Chief executive Julie Bentley said: "FPA are delighted that Parliament has resisted cynical attempts by anti-abortion campaigners to reduce access to safe, legal abortion.

"Cutting the time limit, even by a few weeks, would have directly contradicted medical and scientific evidence about fetal viability and would only have exacerbated the desperation of the small percentage of women needing later abortion.

"MPs have reached the right decision."

The Government also saw off cross-party dissent to push through new rules making it easier for single women and lesbian couples to receive fertility treatment, following a boisterous debate.

South Staffordshire MP Sir Patrick Cormack (Con) argued that fathers have an important role to play in families, but clashed with fellow Tory Ed Vaizey, an Oxfordshire MP.

Sir Patrick told the Commons: "If we are intent on promoting the concept of the family, why do we run away from the importance of the role of the father?"

Mr Vaizey, a member of the shadow Cabinet, asked: "Given the logic of my honourable friend’s case, if a mother and a father had treatment, the mother became pregnant and the father then left the mother, should the mother then be made to terminate the pregnancy?" Sir Patrick replied: "That is a most fatuous intervention. Of course not, and the honourable gentleman almost abuses himself by asking the question. It is a ridiculous question to ask."

* MPs voting for a 12-week limit included Bill Cash (Con Stone), Sir Patrick Cormack (Con South Staffordshire), Dan Kawczynski (Con Shrewsbury), Owen Paterson (Con North Shropshire) and Mark Pritchard (Con The Wrekin).

* A 20-week limit was backed by Richard Shepherd (Con Aldridge Brownhills), Caroline Spelman (Con Meriden) and Jeremy Wright (Con Rugby).

* A 22-week limit was backed by Lorely Burt (Lib Dem Solihull), James Plaskitt (lab Warwick & Leamington) and Sir Michael Spicer (Con West Worcestershire).