MIRACLE baby Molly Horsfield hit all the high notes when her mother became pregnant with the help of Indian music.

Chris and Trish Horsfield, both aged 35, of Horwich, endured years of unsuccessful NHS treatment for "unexplained infertility".

But after just one IVF treatment, carried out against the background of soothing Indian sitar music at an infertility clinic, Trish became pregnant and gave birth to little Molly on November 27.

"I am quite sure that the relaxing atmosphere in the treatment room played an important role in helping me to conceive," said primary schoolteacher Trish.

"Embryo transfer can be a very stressful, anxious time, but I did not feel stressed at all and, because of that, there were no potentially harmful hormones rushing around my body."

Her consultant, infertility specialist Dr Rashmi Patel, a devout Hindu, said a short, silent prayer as he transferred the embryos into her womb.

Dr Patel, a specialist at the Care IVF fertility clinic in Victoria Park, Manchester, believes that the haunting, sitar music has a calming effect on patients.

He said in Japan, circus clowns are routinely brought into the theatre to make patients laugh and feel happy and relaxed while undergoing IVF treatment.

And at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Centre in Israel - where clown therapy is also used - doctors report that the conception rate rose from 20 per cent to 35 per cent.

For insurance broker Chris and his wife, the birth of baby Molly Louise has been the miracle they feared might never happen.

"Physically, we were told that there was no reason why we should not have been able to have a baby. It was just inexplicable," said Chris.

"We had almost reached the stage where we were planning on buying sports cars or taking a holiday in the Caribbean instead."

As a last resort, they arranged a consultation at the Beaumont Hospital in Bolton - part of the Care group - and, after only weeks of IVF therapy, Trish conceived from her first embryo transfer.

"I just flew through the pregnancy and the birth with no problems or sickness at all," said Trish. "It could well be because I was so relaxed when I had the embryo transfer.

"Now that spring is coming, we are really looking forward to taking her out for walks in the local countryside and taking her swimming. She's a wonderful, perfect baby - our little miracle."

Trish is planning to return to work at Preston in the summer, but has already taken Molly Louise to meet the children and staff.

"Many of the children come from large families and are quite used to small babies, and have even been giving me lot of helpful advice. They thought she was fantastic and just doted on her," said Trish.

Dr Patel said: "There is good evidence to suggest that women who are happy and relaxed at the time of embryo transfer are more likely to have successful pregnancies.

"To relieve any stress or tension, it is our normal practice to play soothing Indian sitar or Spanish guitar music.

"This not only gives our patients a feeling of wellbeing but, helps the medical and nursing team to relax."