Women were to be offered one cycle of IVF from April 2005

Then Health Secretary John Reid said women under 40 would be offered one free IVF cycle from April 2005.

But a spokeswoman for two of the 10 PCTs in Hampshire said they had limited funding and IVF was a "low priority".

She told the BBC News website that treatment would be implemented when funds were available.

We would urge the primary care trust to reassess its decision as a matter of urgency and allow patients to access the treatment they deserve National Infertility Awareness Campaign

But funding would continue for couples who had already been accepted for the treatment, the spokeswoman for the joint North Hampshire PCT and Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT said.

The health secretary announced in February 2004 that all couples should be given one free cycle on the NHS, following guidance from a government watchdog.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) published a report that said three cycles should be offered to all couples, ending a postcode lottery.

But the health secretary said the NHS could not reasonably make the expansion overnight.

'Let down couples'

The decision not to provide any treatment across Hampshire was taken after a series of meetings between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority and the 10 primary care trusts that it was responsible for.

Trusts were then left to make their own decisions based on guidance and legal advice.

All 10 PCTs provide IVF treatment in "exceptional circumstances" only.

Fertility awareness campaigners have reacted with "dismay" at the decision.

The decision was not taken lightly and was absolutely necessary to ensure we have sufficient funds to invest in other important areas of care Spokeswoman for North Hampshire PCT and Blackwater Valley and Hart PCT

Clare Brown, chair of the National Infertility Awareness Campaign (Niac), said the trusts had let down many couples.

"The government's announcement provided some hope that they might be able to fulfil their dreams of having a family," she said.

"We would urge the primary care trusts to reassess their decision as a matter of urgency and allow patients to access the treatment they deserve."

Niac has called on the government to step in to stop other NHS trusts following suit.

Ms Brown continued: "This situation needs to be addressed without delay if we are to ensure that couples, regardless of where they live, have access to the standard of care set out in the guideline.

'Absolutely necessary'

"I would urge the government to act now to reassure patients across the country that they will not be denied access to the treatment they have been promised."

The spokeswoman for the joint PCTs said they had given serious consideration to the cost of providing fertility treatment "compared to investments in other areas, such as improvements in cancer services."

She said she was aware the decision would be disappointing to many patients.

"The decision was not taken lightly and was absolutely necessary to ensure we have sufficient funds to invest in other important areas of care," the spokeswoman continued.

"We will continue to work with other primary care trusts to try to develop a service in line with Nice guidance when funds become available.

"We are not alone in reaching this decision and our position is similar to those of other PCTs in the south."