Frozen sperm has been used before in fertility treatments

Dying teenager Martin Black and his bride-to-be Susan Smith have one wish - for his memory to live on in a baby.

The 19-year-old from Tyneside, has been given three months to live by consultants, having battled with leukaemia since November 2000.

The young couple were left reeling when they were told that his condition had become terminal.

Determined to live life to the full, Mr Black, of Felling, Gateshead, and Susan, also 19, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, have already planned their dream wedding at Gateshead Civic Centre.

But to complete their happiness, the pair plan to use Mr Black's sperm, frozen before initial stages of radiotherapy treatment, to have a child using IVF.

Mr Black said: "It's something we have always wanted, but with me going we want to have a baby now.

Desperate couples

"It means a lot to me, it will be a happy child and I feel I will have left my mark in the world."

Normally, couples desperate for a baby are told to try for two years before beginning treatment.

But due to the circumstances they have been moved to the top of the IVF waiting list.

Mr Black's sister Samantha said the couple needed to raise �3,000 to have IVF treatment.

She has organised a series of events to raise money for Leukaemia Research and for the teenage cancer unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

She said: "It is really tough for our family but it helps to be doing something about it to keep us all occupied."