THE 24-week limit for abortion seems unlikely to change despite bitter rows between MPs and medical professionals.

The British Medical Association has endorsed the maximum limit despite claims that advances in the care of premature babies mean babies of 24 weeks' gestation could survive.

The 40th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act has seen rallies by groups for and against abortion.

Dorset GP Dr Tom McKinstry stressed the vast majority of terminations were carried out in the early stages of pregnancy and said a change in the law would make little difference to the number of abortions.

He and other health professionals said improved sex education is the key to reducing the number of terminations.

"There are a very small number of people who are irresponsible and consider abortion to be a routine matter," he told the Daily Echo.

"For 98 per cent of people the decision to have an abortion is a very big one. It is something that is rarely taken lightly."

He said he believes it is a personal issue and that women would not take a pregnancy to the 24-week limit without good reason. "My hope is that in an ideal world people would not get to that stage," he added.

"There are all sorts of social factors involved. My personal opinion is that abortion is murder but I still refer people for terminations because it is their choice.

"If there is a heaven and I go there, it is something I will have to justify."

In Bournemouth and Poole the total number of abortions carried out in 2006 was 1,066 and 760 were carried out in Dorset.

A total of 79 under-18s had abortions in Bournemouth and Poole compared with 87 in Dorset.

Bournemouth GP Dr Nigel Cowley said he supported the proposed reduction to 22 weeks as many babies born at 24 weeks survive to live normal lives.

He said: "We have the potential to save lives at 24 weeks. With premature deliveries one in four go on to live completely normal lives.

"One pregnancy we may well save and another we may terminate. Some go on to lead normal lives. A significant number do go on to have learning difficulties and problems but the fact that some can live a normal life is the important point."

Dr Cowley added that in his experience women do not seek late abortions lightly.