Trooper James Belton became a father for the first time.

Trooper Belton, who has been at the under fire camp for three weeks, wanted to tell his wife Sam he was okay.

But when she answered her mobile he learned there was drama at home too.

Hospital staff in Hereford allowed wife Sam to keep her mobile, so she could phone her husband and tell him of the safe birth of their son, James Joshua.

Twenty-one-year old James said his wife received the chance call just as she was in a delivery suite in the hospital.

'Chuffed'

"It was a real shock when she told me she was giving birth and I just wanted to be there and hold her hand.

"Thankfully, I called at the right time and was sort of able to be with her. I'm absolutely chuffed to bits," he added.

Named after his father, James Joshua weighed in at a healthy 7lb 3oz after the birth on 15 November.

It was brilliant being able to speak to James while it was happening. It felt like he was there. Sam Bolton

Tpr Belton, from Hereford, said: "Sam had to stay in hospital for a few days but now she's sending pictures and I can't wait to see them.

"It's my first child and it's the biggest reason to want to go home."

'Important job'

His wife said: "It was brilliant being able to speak to James while it was happening. It felt like he was there.

"He told me he loved me and that he was praying for me."

Tpr Belton has been in the Queen's Dragoon Guards for four years and is just one month into a four-month deployment in Iraq.

Together with fellow troopers, he is currently part of the Black Watch battle group operating to the south-west of Baghdad.

The 850-strong force has been attacked repeatedly since it took over from US forces at the base.

Tpr Belton said: "We've got an important job to do here and we're doing it, but now I can't wait to get home and see my son."