MPs in Worcestershire have voted towards making Britain the first country in the world to allow IVF babies to be created from three people.

During an historic debate this afternoon county MPs backed the controversial bill to allow the move, on the basis it would prevent inherited diseases.

During a free vote Worcester's Robin Walker, West Worcestershire's Harriett Baldwin and Sir Peter Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire joined Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier and Bromsgrove's Sajid Javid to vote it through by 382 to128 - a majority of 254.

It means the UK is now set to be the first country to permit the treatment, which according to critics crosses an unacceptable ethical line by creating 'designer babies'.

If the House of Lords ratifies the move - which is likely - the first baby conceived with the procedure could be born in 2016.

Mr Walker told your Worcester News he'd taken advice from the city's Conservative Party branch chairman Dr David Tibbutt and the British Medical Association before making his mind up.

"It was one of those issues where there was a good debate and I'm inclined to trust the medical advice I've been given," he said.

"It's a difficult one but Dr Tibbutt told me he thought it was worth looking into to see if people can be spared terrible diseases.

"The other side of the debate was that we should do nothing, I couldn't agree with that."

Under the move, a child will have nuclear DNA determining individual traits such as facial features and personality from its two parents, plus a tiny amount of 'mitochondrial' DNA from an anonymous woman donor.

Research has shown that the mitochondrial donation (mDNA) could potentially help almost 2,500 women of reproductive age in the UK.

Faults can lead to a range of devastating and sometimes life-threatening diseases responsible for conditions including blindness, deafness, diabetes and heart failure.

Supporters of the move have argued it would be immoral not to take advantage of technology that can save families from the misery of serious inherited conditions.

Sir Peter said: "It will remove a terrible burden from parents and demonstrate that in the UK, a world leader in life sciences, we respect the scientific evidence and are prepared to innovate responsibly."

Mrs Baldwin, who also voted for it today, added: “As it is a conscience issue, it was a free vote and I gave this matter an enormous amount of consideration.

“I consulted widely, including with the Church of England, where I am a communicant.

"I also consulted with the Government’s chief medical officer and a wide range of other doctors and scientists.

“In the end though this statement from the Church of England best summarised my own views:

“We are, in principle, in favour of mitochondrial replacement therapy provided it can be established that it will be safe and effective.

‘The issue that is for parliament to decide is whether it is now content to leave the judgement on safety and effectiveness, once current research studies are completed, or whether, in relation to such a major innovation, it wishes at this stage to continue to reserve the decision of principle to itself until the outstanding questions on safety and efficacy have been clarified.’

“I decided I am content to leave the judgement on the safety and effectiveness to the scientists and doctors at the human fertilisation authority, so I supported the motion to do so.”

More than 80 Tory MPs voted against the legislation, as did 31 Labour MPs and five Lib Dems.