A 66-YEAR-OLD Suffolk woman is set to become Britain's oldest mother, it emerged today.

A 66-YEAR-OLD Suffolk woman is set to become Britain's oldest mother, it emerged today.

Elizabeth Adeney, who lives in Lidgate, near Newmarket, is four years older than the previous record holder.

The divorcee, who is around eight months pregnant, is reported to have undergone IVF treatment abroad.

It is believed the child will be the wealthy businesswoman's first.

Mrs Adeney, the managing director of a firm in Mildenhall, will be just short of her 80th birthday when her child becomes a teenager.

She refused to comment on her pregnancy when quizzed by a national newspaper.

The paper claims Mrs Adeney is divorced from Robert Adeney, a former chairman of upmarket riding and leather goods firm Swaine Adeney Brigg.

Her neighbours today described their surprise at the news.

“It's come as a shock,” said one neighbour, who didn't want to be named.

“I thought she was too old to have children.

“It hasn't quite sunk in yet. I don't know what to think.

“I don't know her that well. We tend to keep ourselves to ourselves.”

The news of Mrs Adeney's pregnancy will fuel the debate on whether IVF should be given to women who are past the age where they could naturally conceive. The NHS will only consider women under the age of 40.

Susan Tollesfen became Britain's oldest first time mum last year when she gave birth to daughter Freya at the age of 57.

Patti Farrant was 62 when she gave birth to her son, Jude, three years ago using a donate egg from Russia.