Couples trying to start a family could be restricted in how many IVF attempts they are allowed on the NHS to save money.

Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) - which commissions health services in Maldon - currently allows up to three cycles.

But it is considering three options: - To keep it to three cycles

- Restrict couples to just one cycle

- Only allow cancer patients or couples in which the man is HIV positive to have treatment.

Medical director Donald McGeachy said the money saved will help the CCG - one of the worst funded in the country - save enough to transform long term healthcare.

* Full story in this week's Standard.