A television documentary showing graphic pictures of an abortion will shock and horrify viewers, according to an Old Town mother who went through a similar procedure.

The programme, My Foetus, will shatter one of the last remaining taboos when it shows a termination and the resulting dead foetus on Channel 4 this week.

But Karen Caton, 38, who aborted at 22 weeks because her unborn daughter had heart defects and Down Syndrome, believes the programme will leave expectant mothers in a quandary.

Karen, who is married to Paul Bradley, 36, and has seen a preview tape of the programme said: "Paul and I sat down to watch it together. At the end we sat open-mouthed and looked at each other.

"The programme was quite graphic and didn't touch on the true depths of despair and trauma we faced.

"It really lifts the lid on what is essentially a taboo subject and I don't think there is anything wrong with having a wider debate and better understanding of what women go through. But the programme shows aborted foetuses at four, 10, 11 and 21 weeks, which is totally unnecessary and makes for extremely unpleasant viewing."

Karen, an IT consultant who is the daughter of Moredon Labour councillor Maureen Caton, took a course of tablets to start the termination and then had to endure a full labour before giving birth to Katie Elizabeth.

She said: "She was about the size of a bag of sugar and we saw her lying in a tiny Moses basket. She looked just like she was asleep. It was horrible walking away from the hospital that day.

"I know my decision will always be with me. This shocking programme will make women feel guilty about what they're doing. They feel guilty enough without this."

Karen has since given birth to baby Alex, who entered the world six weeks early on September 30 last year, weighing in at just 5lbs 3oz.

Meanwhile the country's largest not-for-profit abortion provider, which has a branch in Swindon, has welcomed the programme.

Bpas - formerly known as British Pregnancy Advisory Service believes the half-hour documentary, which also shows pictures of aborted foetuses in which limbs and faces can be clearly seen, will make an important contribution to the debate.

Chief executive Ann Furedi said: "We have to be honest about abortion. We do not believe that women who request abortions are ignorant about what abortion is."

The programme's director, Julia Black, had an abortion at 21, and describes herself as "pro-choice" but re-examined her views after becoming pregnant again at 34.

She is the daughter of Dr Tim Black, founder of Marie Stopes International charity, one of Britain's largest abortion providers.

She said: "I met people on both sides of the debate who believe details of abortion should now be shown."

My Foetus will be shown by Channel 4 on Tuesday at 11pm.