By Caroline Wheeler  April 11, 2004

A surrogate mum from the Midlands is trying to sell her unborn child to a desperate couple for £15,000.

The woman, known only as Anna from Derby, is offering the deal on the same internet site that Moira Greenslade promised THREE sets of would-be parents her baby for cash.

Greenslade, 33, could face up to 10 years in jail when she is sentenced for deception later this month. The mum-of-three, from Yorkshire, had tried to pocket £22,000 from the surrogacy deals before being rumbled.

On Thursday the Sunday Mercury logged on to the same internet site where Greenslade first contacted the childless couples.

And within minutes we discovered a Derbyshire woman called Anna who was also willing to sell her unborn baby - for £15,000.

Surrogate mums can claim a maximum of £10,000 in 'expenses' under the 1985 Surrogacy Act. If they demand more they can face criminal charges.

In her internet advert, Anna said: "I'm a mother of one and knowing what a precious gift a child is, I would like to help a couple experience this too.

"I had a natural birth and problem-free pregnancy and am prepared to go through the experience again to deliver a child to a loving couple.

"I ask for a one-off payment of £15,000 to cover all my expenses during pregnancy.

"I don't' mind whether you are a straight or a gay couple, even single parents, as long as you can provide a loving home for a child."

Last night Carol O'Reilly, founder of Surrogacy UK, warned Anna that she was breaking the law.

She said: "It's generally accepted that a surrogate mum cannot take more than £10,000 in expenses.

"This has been the case since 1985 and whenever a judge comes up against a surrogate looking for more than that sum he will usually refer it to a higher court, such as a Crown Court."

John Simmonds, of the charity British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), said: "The main problem with surrogacy is that it's largely unregulated.

"You just have to look at the number of adults who are desperate for children. There is no doubt there are many people who'll do anything to have a child of their own.

"But the most important issue is the protection of vulnerable children."

Last night the Sunday Mercury presented its findings to Derbyshire Police.