Thousands of single women are seeking IVF treatment after failing to meet Mr Right.

The number of women having IVF treatment without a partner has more than doubled in the last decade.

Latest figures reveal that more than 3,000 patients had IVF on their own in the last five years.

Professor Geeta Nargund, medical director at Harley Street's fertility clinic CREATE, said women are focusing on their careers and seeking treatment after failing to meet a partner.

"They want to meet Mr Right and have not been able to and decide to have a baby on their own," she said.

"We are seeing more and more women seeking treatment as single women. We get many professional women who have spent their lives focusing on their careers and moving up the ladder and then their next step is wanting a relationship.

"They start looking for partners and do not find a boyfriend and they realise they want to try for a baby before they lose the opportunity to do so. They often decide to then have a baby on their own. Ten years ago we had a lot fewer women doing this and now lots more are seeking treatment."