Three Midland couples were selected yesterday for fertility treatment funded by The Birmingham Post.

Experts at Midland Fertility Services, in Aldridge, Walsall, were so overwhelmed with entries they are funding an extra cycle of IVF, costing nearly £3,000.

And following further clinical consideration, a fourth couple will be selected next Wednesday.

As part of our campaign to offer funded fertility treatment for all, readers were invited to apply for one of four options.

But as no couples applied for ovarian reserve or fertility testing, those funds were put towards IVF and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI).

Mr and Mrs S from Worcester are one of two couples selected to receive fully-funded IVF treatment.

Last night the 29-year-old, who has been infertile since doctors misdiagnosed her endometriosis, was "ecstatic".

She said: "My husband didn't believe me when I told him, he thought it was a wind up, but we hope to start treatment next month.

"We're really grateful to MFS and The Birmingham Post for giving us this chance to help us start a family of our own. The money is the real barrier, not just for us but for lots of other couples, so this is giving our dreams a real lifeline."

Mrs W, a chef from Highters Heath, Birmingham, will also have a cycle of IVF.

The third successful applicant, Miss S, who lives with her partner in Tipton, Sandwell, was surprised to be chosen for treatment.

The 32- year- old said: "We've been trying for about eight years but after I had tests at Sandwell Hospital, I was told my ovaries weren't producing enough eggs.

"I still can't believe we've been chosen, I'm shocked but very pleased we're being given this chance."

Dr Gillian Lockwood, medical director of MFS, said the response to our campaign highlighted the need for more money to be invested in NHS fertility treatment.

"The power and the poignancy of all the letters we received made our overall decision quite difficult. We would love to be able to provide our patients with NHS-funded treatment if we could.

"Health Secretary Dr John Reid wanted to see all eligible women under 40 to have access to one round of fertility treatment this year.

"But while the Department of Health claims the trusts have been given the funding, the PCTs say they have received nothing. Having met people who have been waiting for three or four years, you can sense their frustration."