Essex County Council has denied blocking an adoption application by two gay Bicknacre men.
Millionaire fathers-to-be Barrie Drewitt and Tony Barlow have since turned to a surrogate mother in America to give them children of their own.
They are reported to be eagerly awaiting the birth in December of twins Aspen and Saffron after donor eggs from Rosalind Bellamy, 32, were fertilised in a laboratory. The council said that it did not discriminate against the men because of their sexual orientation.
Mr Drewitt said: "Essex County Council told us we might be able to adopt a child with Down's syndrome. We were introduced to one child but, just as we were getting to know each other, they turned us down."
Tony Barlow (left) and Barrie Drewitt.
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