Mrs Axon says parents have the right to be consulted beforehand

Sue Axon, 50, from Baguley, Manchester, who has two daughters had an abortion 20 years ago and later regretted it.

Currently Department of Health guidelines state terminations can take place without parental consent.

In April, unbeknown to her parents, Melissa Smith, 14, had an abortion arranged by a school health worker.

Too late

The teenager, a pupil at Brunts School in Mansfield, had confided in the school's outreach worker who, in turn, referred her to hospital where she began the termination process with the first of a series of abortion pills.

Within days her mother found out what was happening, and the teenager changed her mind but by then it was too late.

A local education authority spokeswoman said teachers were not legally bound to tell parents if pupils became pregnant.

Mrs Axon says parents have the right to be consulted beforehand.

I feel that as a mother they have taken away my right to protect my children Sue Axon

Her solicitor has written to the Department of Health to warn she will seek a judicial review of the rules if they are not changed within a fortnight.

Present guidelines advise doctors that the confidentiality of under-16s must be respected if they want to terminate a pregnancy.

Mrs Axon told GMTV on Monday: "I feel that as a mother they have taken away my right to protect my children. I am prepared to make a stand and challenge them.

"I want legislation to allow me to be told - not necessarily to stop it - but to be informed at least.

"Doctors performing abortions on girls as young as 12 is absolutely atrocious.

'Complete agreement'

"I regret having an abortion. I was very ill and it had a long-standing effect on me".

The Department of Health said it could not comment on Mrs Axon's legal challenge until after it responded to her letter.

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association said: ""We fully support the Department of Health guidance on providing sexual health advice and treatment to under 16s.

"We know that young people worry a great deal about the confidentiality of health services and it's one of the main reasons why they fail to seek professional advice.

"All health professionals have a duty of confidentiality to their patients, including those under 16."