A young woman who is desperate to have a baby has been refused IVF treatment on the NHS because her partner has a child.

Charlotte McPhillips is distraught that she is being denied the fertility programme free of charge because her boyfriend Robert Howard has a four-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

The 23-year-old, who is unable to have children naturally due to a hormonal condition, said she burst into tears when she heard the news.

Scroll down for video

Speaking from the home she shares with Robert in Wivenhoe Close, Rainham, she said: “How can I be deprived of every woman’s basic right, to be a mum?

“Why am I being penalised for a condition that I have through no fault of my own?”

Charlotte, who is a barmaid and assistant manager of the White Horse pub in Rainham High Street and Robert, who is unemployed, cannot afford the £5,000 needed to pay for IVF privately.

“How can I be deprived of every woman’s basic right, to be a mum?" - Charlotte McPhillips

She said: “In any case, I pay my taxes. Why should we have to pay?”

The couple are fighting their case through Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti and are prepared to take the matter through the European Courts of Human Rights.

At the age of 17, Charlotte was diagnosed with PCOS, a hormonal condition which means she does not have periods and therefore cannot conceive in the normal way.

She said: “Time is also running out because I may not be able to produce eggs in a few years’ time. So I am more determined than ever to get this sorted.

“Even though I love my stepdaughter, I want a baby of my own.”

Robert, who has a daughter Eleanor, said: “We are a family, but I have been with Charlotte for three years and we want a baby together.”

Video: A couple's fight for IVF - Jem Collins reports

In a letter to her, Dr Peter Green, the chief officer for the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, writes: “Across Kent and Medway, there are clear eligibility criteria in place regarding NHS funding in relation to assisted conception treatment.

“In your letter you have confirmed that your partner has a child from a previous relationship and the eligibility criteria states that where either partner in a couple has a living son or daughter from their relationship or any previous relationship, funding is not available through any of the CCGs in the NHS across Kent and Medway.

"This is irrespective of the age or place of abode of their son or daughter.”

Charlotte added: “It could mean a bitter double whammy as it means my mum may never be a grandmother.”

Stories you might have missed

Knife-wielding teen shopped by dad

Four taken to hospital after house fire

New free school announced for Kent

Immigrant seconds from freedom crushed under lorry