Batley-born pioneer of IVF dies

Robert Edwards, who developed the fertility technique along with Dr Patrick Steptoe in the 1970s, won the Nobel Peace prize for his work.

Since the birth of the first ‘test-tube’ baby Louise Brown in 1978 more than four million children have been born using IVF.

Professor Edwards’ death was announced yesterday afternoon by Cambridge University.

He won the Nobel prize for physiology/medicine in 2010. A year later he was knighted for “services to human reproductive biology”.

Last year Batley History Group planted a copper beech tree in Wilton Park in Sir Robert’s honour accompanied by a special wooden sign.

Full obituary to follow.