The woman who gave birth to the world’s first test tube baby has died.

Lesley Brown, who lived in Whitchurch, Bristol, made history in July 1978 when her daughter, Louise, was born in Oldham General Hospital.

Mrs Brown had been trying for a baby with her husband, John, for nine years before she became the first woman to give birth following IVF treatment.

She successfully conceived following pioneering treatment by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, with the birth making headlines around the world.

The 64-year-old died with her family at her side at the Bristol Royal Infirmary on June 6 following a short illness.

She leaves behind stepdaughter Sharon and daughters Louise and Natalie, who were both born following IVF treatment, and five grandchildren.

Her husband died five years ago. The family attended a private funeral service in Bris-tol yesterday.

Daughter Louise said: “Mum was a very quiet and private person who ended up in the world spotlight because she wanted a family so much. “We are all missing her terribly”.

Speaking on behalf of Professor Edwards and the team at Bourn Hall Clinic, chief executive Mike Macamee said: “Lesley was a devoted mum and grandmother.

“Through her bravery and determination, many millions of women have been given the chance to become mothers. She was a lovely gentle lady and we will all remember her with deep affection.”

Speaking in 2008, Mrs Brown said she had felt so desperate to have a baby, she was willing to put up with anything to give birth. Her blocked fallopian tubes meant getting pregnant naturally was impossible for her and her husband.

She moved back and forth between doctors until 1976, when she heard about new research and was referred to Dr Steptoe. Along with her husband she agreed to sign up for what was a very experimental procedure – something that was to change their lives forever.

Since the first brave steps of Mrs Brown, more than 30 years ago, scientific advances mean success rates are slowly improving, giving hope to infertile couples worldwide.

Baby in a million

•Louise Brown weighed into the world at 2.608 kg.

•Although the media referred to her as a “test tube baby” her conception took place in a petri dish.

•Women with fallopian tube blockages cannot conceive because their eggs cannot travel through their fallopian tubes to get fertilised.

•Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, who died in 1988, founded the world’s first ever IVF clinic at Bourn Hall in Cambridge, which now treats around 900 women a year.

•More than 10,000 test tube babies have been born since the birth of Louise and there are now four million IVF babies worldwide.