We owe everything to Nich, he was brilliant. He was a real hero Linda Newall

Ms Newall, 38, of Old Colwyn, her mother and partner had just passed Colwyn Bay ambulance station, so they reversed and knocked on the window.

Paramedic team leader Nich Woolf came to the rescue, and minutes later 6lb 11oz Luke was born on the back seat.

"You remember every job that's significant but this one will have a special place," Mr Woolf said.

Ms Newall's mother Teresa and partner Ray Enston began to drive her to Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, about 15 miles (24km) away, when Luke was about to make his first appearance a week early.

Ms Newall said: "We got in the car and drove down the road and I said, 'it's coming'. We had just gone past the ambulance station so we reversed back up the road."

You remember every job that's significant but this one will have a special place Paramedic Nich Woolf

"I was in the back of the car, mum jumped out the front and Ray jumped out of the back and they knocked on the window."

"Luckily, they came out and there was a speedy response and it was a great help. It all happened so fast, it was all systems go from there."

"Nich was fantastic, he was really good and calming. He took control and it was all over in about 10 minutes.

"We're really delighted with the baby and we owe everything to Nich, he was brilliant. He was a real hero."

Mr Woolf was on the phone and just about to finish his shift when his boss, Gordon Roberts came down the corridor to get him.

Gas and air

"He just said 'quick, put the phone down and get out here'. It's unusual for him to be gruff like that," said Mr Woolf.

"I went out and realised that Linda, who was lying across the back seat, was very obviously in labour."

"I ran and got some gas and air went round to the door where the head was and started on the gas and air."

"I thought this was all a bit late, that it was progressing a lot faster than anybody imagined. The baby had crowned so the head was visible."

"I had done 15 or 16 deliveries previously but this was the first time I've ever seen a baby born in the cowl with the membranes intact over the head."

"There's an old wives' tale that they're very lucky babies and that they'll never drown.

"It meant that we had to break the membranes and proceed with the birth. We had to suction out the baby by which time the crew arrived and I had a bit of help then."