COUPLES needing IVF have a higher chance of getting pregnant in Huddersfield than anywhere else in the country, it emerged today.

One in three couples having in vitro fertilisation treatment at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax are conceiving.

Among the success stories are Jovan and Julijana Ristov, from New Mill.

The success rate is above the national average of only one in four, making Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust one of the best performing IVF centres in the country.

Consultant gynaecologist Martin de Bono said: “Infertility increasingly affects many couples.

“However, couples in this district know they have some of the best services to help them and this is driving up the numbers of new patients we are seeing.”

A third more couples visited the Halifax-based assisted conception unit in 2006 compared with the year before.

About 1,000 new people were seen by staff for the first time – 30% more than the year before.

And 65 babies – 12 of them multiple births – were born to families in Huddersfield and Halifax as a result of IVF treatment at the unit.

The busy workload means the trust has recently recruited two extra specialist nurses.

Dr de Bono added: “We have an excellent, friendly and professional team, committed to helping families conceive and we have a reputation we are very proud of.”

The IVF technique sees eggs being fertilised by sperm outside the woman's womb before being replanted to establish a successful pregnancy.

The centre – which also runs clinics at HRI – is now the biggest ‘satellite unit’ in the country.

Mums can choose to have their eggs collected and embryos transferred at either Leeds or Manchester.

All other care – both before and after conception – is offered by the Halifax unit.

It has recently been re-accredited with a Charter Mark, to recognise its excellence in public service and customer care.