A woman has defended her decision to give birth at the age of 63 after she was accused of being irresponsible.

Dr Patricia Rashbrook spoke of her and her husband's joy at giving life to a baby amid criticism from pro-life groups who called her "selfish" for having a child at such an advanced stage in her life.

Dr Rashbrook, who is known as Patti, said a "great deal of thought" had gone into the pregnancy and that her son, for whom she already felt a great deal of love, would be well cared for after he is born in two months' time.

The child psychiatrist and her 61-year-old academic husband John Farrant travelled to Italy in October seeking fertility treatment from Doctor Severino Antinori.

The specialist, who runs a private fertility clinic in Rome, made headlines in 1994 when he helped a post-menopausal 63-year-old woman become pregnant with donor eggs and hormones.

After medical checks, he implanted a donor egg in Dr Rashbrook's womb.

In a statement, the couple admitted the pregnancy had "unusual and potentially controversial aspects".

But they said: "We wish to emphasise that this has not been an endeavour undertaken lightly or without courage.

"A great deal of thought has been given to planning and providing for the child's present and future well-being, medically, socially and materially. We have greatly valued the warm support shown to us by family, friends and colleagues.

"We are very happy to have given life to an already much-loved baby and our wish now is to give him the peace and security he needs."

The couple emerged smiling from their £600,000 three-storey High Street townhouse in Lewes yesterday and were met by a media scrum.

Dr Rashbrook, now 62, is seven months pregnant and will become the oldest new mother in Britain when she gives birth.

In the UK, the age limit for receiving IVF is 50.

The media pack had been waiting to speak to the couple for several hours and at least one tabloid is understood to have offered them up to £250,000 for an exclusive interview.

Dr Rashbrook, who was showing visible signs of her pregnancy, briefly spoke to reporters and said: "We are delighted with the pregnancy.

"We just want you to know that we take our responsibilities very seriously and regard the best interests of the child as paramount.

"What we wish now is to be allowed to pursue our family life in private."

She refused to answer further questions and the couple were followed by journalists down Lewes High Street before leaving in a waiting car.

This will be the first child for Dr Rashbrook with Mr Farrant, 61, whom she married in 2003.

Mr Farrant, who is currently writing a 16th Century maritime history, is vice-president of the Sussex Archaeological Society, based in Lewes, as well as a member of the Sussex Record Society, also in the town.

Dr Rashbrook already has two children from her first marriage, Caroline, 26, and William, 22, who are said to be delighted by the news.

But pro-life campaign group Life warned having a baby at such a mature age was not in the best interests of the child.

Spokesman Matthew O'Gorman said: "He or she is going to be without a mother or father at the most crucial moment of adolescence or when that child is growing to maturity.

"This is not the way to bring a child into the world."

But former Lewes neighbour Paul Pyant said Dr Rashbrook had brought up two happy stable children - one of whom is now a doctor - and had remarried recently.

He said: "I am very happy for her - it is remarkable really. I am sure it is going to be very hard work."

Sue Carpenter, co-owner of children's clothes shop Brats on Lewes High Street, said: "I know the couple a little just from them popping into the shop, although I had no idea she was pregnant.

"I don't think people should be judged; they should be allowed to do whatever they want. They are a nice family.

"Although it has surprised me. I wonder why someone would want to have another baby at that age. Women are having children later and later though."

Sandra Sanders, sales adviser at clothes store Mackays on Lewes High Street, said: "I think it's very selfish and not in the best interests of the child at all.

"I am 47 and have two children and I would never have another one now. This is the age when you should look forward to having grandchildren."

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "I know Patti and John, who are near neighbours, and I am very pleased for them. They seem delighted."

Previously Britain's oldest mother was hill farmer Liz Buttle, from Wales, who was 60 when she gave birth to a son called Joseph in 1997.

The oldest woman in the world to give birth is thought to be Adriana Iliescu, from Romania, who had a daughter called Eliza Maria in January 2005 at the age of 66.

Dr Rashbrook's decision to have a child at 63 prompted a mixed response from younger mothers with babies.

Clare Sisterson, 36, of Islingword Street, Hanover, who has a nine-month-old daughter, said: "I think it's entirely up to the individual because she obviously desperately wants to have a child, but I would be worried about being so old.

"When the child's a teenager, she might not be around, and I worry about that even though I'm in my 30s.

"It's quite a strain on your body. I'm only beginning to feel as if I'm getting my body back to normal after nine months.

"It's a terrific strain and I'm averagely fit. But if it's a strain for me, the strain would probably be more for a 63-year-old."

Jo Tribe, 35, of Tisbury Road, Hove, who has a nine-month-old son, said: "I think it's nobody's business but hers. I think the desire to be a mother can be so overwhelming and you could still be a good parent at that age.

"As an older mother you can offer more perhaps than you could if you were younger. Physically it could be a strain, but you could perhaps offer more financially and emotionally.

"If she thinks she can cope, it's up to her and good luck to her. Parenthood is such a special thing and it's a tragedy for people wanting it to miss out, so if she is able, then why not?"

A qualified fertility councillor in Sussex said the strain of IVF was hard enough but would be harder on an older woman.

She said: "I can't imagine being pregnant at 63 personally because of the strain on your body.

"I don't know anything about this woman - she's not the first woman I have known to have got pregnant in Italy in her 60s but there's a reason why people don't get pregnant in their 60s.

"There's more to this than just age. Hopefully she's a young 63 and hopefully she's very fit and hopefully she's got a very supportive husband - she needs all of those things.

"IVF is hard and even harder when you're older - and then you have to look after the baby."