A woman who is locked in a legal battle with her ex-fianc� over the ownership of her embryos has reached an agreement with the private clinic where they are stored.

Natallie Evans, who is recovering from cancer, had the eggs taken from her ovaries before they were removed in a life-saving operation.

Her ex-boyfriend, Howard Johnston, from Gloucester, willingly fertilized the eggs but then withdrew his consent, saying he wanted the frozen embryos destroyed.

Miss Evans, 30, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, says implanting the embryos is her only hope of ever having her own children and is facing a legal battle with Mr Johnston.

'Important development'

It was feared the six embryos would be destroyed at the Bath-based clinic where they are stored on Monday, 12 August.

But the clinic has now agreed to keep the embryos in storage for the time being.

The important thing for now is that the embryos have been saved from the threat of their probable destruction

Muiris Lyons, solicitor

Miss Evans's solicitor, Muiris Lyons, described the move as an "important development" and said it meant his client would not need to seek an injunction at the Family Division of the High Court.

In a statement, he said: "Natallie now has the opportunity to meet with her former partner, and the clinic, to resolve the dispute through private negotiation.

"It may now be possible to reach a settlement without the necessity of High Court proceedings.

"She simply wants to be allowed to use her embryos at some point in the future to have a child of her own."

Mr Lyons said if the couple could not reach an agreement on their own, the court would have to decide and authorise the final outcome.

But he added: "The important thing for now is that the embryos have been saved from the threat of their probable destruction."

It is expected all the parties involved will be meeting next week to try to resolve the dispute.