A Fertility clinic has defended itself after a national report revealed its IVF success rate was the third worst in the country.

The 14 per cent success rate of patients under 35 getting pregnant at Esperance Private Hospital, in Hartington Place, Eastbourne, leaves it trailing behind most of the 85 licensed fertility clinics.

Only two clinics ranked lower - St Mary's Hospital (NHS), Manchester, with 13.2 per cent, and Willow Suite, Thames Valley Nuffield Hospital (private), Slough, with 10.3 per cent.

The figures from 2002/03 were released yesterday by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) watchdog to provide patients with more information so they can choose the right centre for them.

They focus on live birth rates, the proportion of IVF cycles that result in the birth of a baby for each unit treating at least 50 patients.

But an Esperance spokeswoman insisted more recent figures show improvements and said yesterday's guide could give the wrong impression because it does not consider the mix of IVF patients it treats.

She said: "Our success rates have improved significantly since 2002."

She added that while some fertility centres turn away patients who are very unlikely to conceive, the Esperance, which opened in 1989, does not.

Since 2002, the hospital has carried out a £15,000 refurbishment of its theatre and IVF successes have increased to 23 per cent among under-39s in 2003 and 24.5 per cent in 2004.

The hospital provides a range of fertility treatments and charges about £2,000 per IVF treatment to patients up to their mid-40s.

Up to 100 patients are treated annually but most are private because the local primary care trusts (PCTs) have not put their fertility treatment contracts up for tender since 2001.

Dr Peter Hayward, director of public health at Mid Sussex PCT, said the guide's figures would help people see the different success rates and ensure taxpayers money was well spent - should it be on the National Health Service - and to help minimise the "ordeal" for patients.