A judge yesterday named a woman who went missing after her former lover launched a legal fight to stop her from aborting their unborn child.

Claire Hansell, 31, disappeared after her ex-boyfriend, Stephen Hone, took his case to the courts. Mr Hone launched his legal action against the Calthorpe nursing home in Edgbaston, Birmingham, saying the proposed termination contravened the Abortion Act.

His lawyers argued it was unlawful because only one doctor was consulted, instead of two, and no questions were asked about Ms Hansell's physical and mental state and why she wanted a termination.

His initial court application was adjourned after Mr Justice Sumner, a family division judge, said the Solihull clinic which sanctioned the abortion should be notified before any further hearing.

His solicitor, Paul Conrathe, said the abortion was booked for today at another clinic in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Mr Conrathe said the action was being taken to prevent the clinic committing a criminal offence.

But Mr Hone, 24, a sales consultant from Coventry, claimed a partial victory yesterday after the clinic agreed at the high court that it would not carry out the operation without further medical inquiries.

Mr Justice Sumner, sitting in London, said the clinic had given a "highly responsible and helpful" undertaking that, if Ms Hansell continued to seek an abortion at the clinic, it would not rely on the certificate signed by the doctor originally seen by her.

The clinic had also given a second undertaking that, in the event of an abortion eventually taking place after the correct procedures had been followed, they would not dispose of the foetus without first giving seven days' notice to Mr Hone.

He has already made it clear he would seek access to the unborn baby's remains so that he could arrange a burial.

Mr Hone said he was pleased with the agreement, but was"saddened" that the abortion could still go ahead. He said he was now "desperate" to find his former girlfriend in the hope of saving the unborn child.

The agreement does not prevent Ms Hansell from seeking to terminate her pregnancy at another clinic, provided the correct legal procedures are followed.

Mr Hone, who has a four-year-old son and a daughter of two from a previous relationship, has said he is against abortion and is prepared to take responsibility for the new baby and bring it up.

He said last night: "It is a victory in one sense but a loss in the sense that it has still not prevented the abortion of my child. Also, I would desperately like to hear from her just to know that she is all right."