A MOTHER who tried for 10 years to have children is urging the Earl and Countess of Wessex to go for it following reports that the couple were considering IVF treatment.

It comes as Prince Edward and his wife Sophie visited Preston on Wednesday, March 12 for a reception at the Marriott Hotel, Garstang Road, in aid of the Rosemere Cancer Appeal -- the fund-raising arm for cancer care at the Royal Preston Hospital. Two years ago Jackie McAllister, of Hampden Road, Leyland, discovered she would never be able to conceive naturally following earlier surgery.

So Jackie, 37, turned to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment as her last chance to have children.

She said: "My life has been turned completely upside down because for ten years it has just been me and my husband. There was only us to rely on. Now we have got two little people to rely on and look after.

"They're so beautiful and so wonderful that I could never imagine my life without them."

As her treatment began, Jackie's father was diagnosed with lung cancer and the would-be mum feared the stress of it all would scupper her chances of conceiving.

"I just went on autopilot when I started the treatment. My mind was on my father," she explained.

"I said to the specialist there was no way I would succeed."

Jackie had to have hormone treatment before her eggs were removed and fertilized at a Manchester hospital.

She said: "You go back to hospital and they do the implantation back into the womb. Then after two weeks I had to go back for a blood test to see if the pregnancy had taken. I haven't looked back since then."

Her twins, James and Kirsty, were born on February 12, 2001 and Jackie says her children are all the proof she needs to urge the royal couple to give it a try.

"I would tell them to go for it. There isn't anything wrong with it," said Jackie.

"Everyone should have the joy of children and if you can't conceive naturally, there's people out there to help you."