Rona and Adrian Woodhouse never thought they would get the chance to become mum and dad.

But, thanks to a new unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, they are now two of the proudest parents in Bingley.

In November, Rona gave birth to Alia and Elliot - among the first babies to be delivered at Bradford's new fertility clinic.

"We can't believe how lucky we've been," said Adrian. "To end up with two children was more than we could ever have hoped for. Trying IVF was not an easy choice, but after four years with no sign of a baby we wanted to try something."

The couple said they could not have gone through with the pregnancy without the help of staff at the Bradford unit. And they singled out obstetrician and gynaecologist Ian Beck and fertility unit manager Anne Balson for their help.

"Their care throughout the ups and downs of the pregnancy and birth was invaluable," said Adrian.

The new unit is celebrating its first anniversary, having carried out more than 100 cycles of treatment on more than 80 women. And staff at the self-funded unit have delivered 19 babies, including six sets of twins and seven single deliveries. There are also 15 ongoing pregnancies.

When it opened last year, the satellite unit meant that most of the fertility treatment could be carried out in Bradford for the first time. Couples now only travel to Leeds for the collection of the eggs and the implanting after fertilisation.

Mr Beck, who pioneered the unit with Mrs Balson, said the first 12 months had been "a year of success".

And staff were planning to expand the service.

"Our success rates in the first year are in keeping with the national average for similar units," he said.

Babies have been born to couples from a variety of social backgrounds and age groups. But the clinic adheres to guidelines which state that women must be under 45.

Mr Beck said: "A locally based service is a major step forward for Bradford as it offers couples greater accessibility and convenience.

"That is vital at what can be a difficult and stressful time for them."