"Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists, " said Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, the IVF clinic Edwards and Steptoe co-founded, in the statement.

CNN: IVF 'co-pioneer' Robert Edwards dead at 87

The initiative has been warmly welcomed by Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall Clinic - based near Cambridge - which was established by IVF pioneers Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards.

BBC: Pledge on free NHS IVF treatment

"Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists, " said Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, the IVF clinic founded by Prof Edwards with his fellow IVF pioneer Patrick Steptoe, a gynaecological surgeon.

BBC: Test-tube baby pioneer Sir Robert Edwards dies