Baby Eleaner's birth weight was 6lb 11ozs

Robin and Joanna Dearing, of Saxmundham in Suffolk, were planning a hospital delivery but were taken by surprise at baby Eleaner's speedy arrival.

When Mrs Dearing's waters broke on Monday her husband and mother-in-law Linda became emergency midwives.

Mrs Dearing said: "Robin was panicking at one point. He thought we could stop and wait. But no, she wanted to come."

Proud father Mr Dearing, who works as a refuse collector, said: "Luckily I had enough time to go to the phone and call Ipswich Hospital who talked me through the delivery while my mother held the phone to my ear.

A midwife talked Mr Dearing through the birth

"It was incredible... A very emotional time and one I'll never forget. Right now talking about it... it brings tears to my eyes."

For most of the family it was a night to remember, but two-year-old Harriet slept through the drama.

Mrs Dearing went into labour at 0015 GMT on Tuesday and baby Eleaner arrived at 0041 GMT and weighed 6lb 11ozs.

It is not the first time the Dearing family have been caught short. Four-year-old Josh was born in the back of an ambulance.