A FYLDE couple are at the centre of a tug-of-love battle after the surrogate mother of their baby daughter demanded the child back.

As revealed exclsuively in theCitizen, Phil and Jennifer Bickerstaff, of Warton near Lytham, have drawn up a surrogacy agreement with the child's natural mother Bronwen Williamson, 40.

After trying for a baby of their own for a number of years, the Bickerstaffs -- who are both in their 40s -- paid £500 to the charity Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS) who put them in touch with Bronwen.

The baby -- who was originally named Hope -- was conceived in a DIY artificial insemination during which Mr Bickerstaff's semen was transferred into the mum-of-three from Sunderland.

Throughout her pregnancy Bronwen -- who lives with her husband, John, 47, and sons Dane, 13, Ashton, 11 and Grant, 8 -- insisted that she will be happy to hand her child over.

Speaking to reporters before the birth she said: "All I will be thinking when I have her is how wonderful it will be to have done something for someone who can't have a child, that will be my reward."

Under the agreement she is now legally entitled to demand her baby's return for up to six months.

But less than two week's after handing the 8lb 8oz little girl -- who has been re-named Alicia -- over to the Bickerstaff's, Bronwen has told a national newspaper that she wants her baby back.

The couple could now face a court battle to keep the child after Bronwen was reported to have consulted a solicitor in a bid to quash the agreemen t.

Speaking exclusively to The Citizen, her husband John explained the couple were unable to comment on whether legal proceedings are yet active.

John -- who has supported his wife throughout the surrogacy -- said: "I'm sure people will understand that this is still a very trying time for everyone involved.

"We're not yet in a position to comment on which stage we are at legally or otherwise."