A MOTHER has insisted a decision to go ahead with a 22-week abortion was right because her son would have been brain-damaged and severely disabled.

Georgina Pearson and her partner, Zak Turgoose, knew that their choice to terminate her pregnancy would provoke criticism by pro-life campaigners.

But the couple have gone public with their heartbreaking decision because they believe their choice meant their son would not suffer any pain.

Ms Pearson, a 34-year-old teacher, from Loscoe, said she and Zak would live with the choice they made every day of their lives.

"Our world fell apart," she said. "It was a truly heartbreaking decision to make – but Zak and I know it was the right one.

"We will miss Jacob every day. If we have more children, he'll never be a secret.

"He was our first baby and we will always remember him. We feel we did the right thing – but the pain doesn't disappear."

However, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, which disagrees with abortion at any stage of pregnancy, responded by saying: "A life is a life."

A spokesman for the organisation said: "Disabled children can still find joy in life. Life is precious.

"When parents face difficult decisions, they need some sound advice. We encourage them to contact us."