TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Jacqueline Clough became an emergency midwife to help deliver her sister's baby.

The drama unfolded in Morrison Close, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, when 16-year-old Lisa Clough began experiencing labour pains - seven weeks before her baby was due.

Her mother, Catherine, and father, Keith, were shopping in South Shields, so it was up to Jacqueline and Lisa's boyfriend, John Elsdon, to deliver the baby.

Mr Clough said: "We got a phone call from Jacqueline saying Lisa had some pains.

"Then we got another phone call saying Lisa couldn't stand the pain. Jacqueline was panicking, but her mum said to tell Lisa not to push."

Jacqueline, who attends Woodham Community Technology College, phoned the ambulance, her grandmother and everyone she could think of.

Meanwhile, John tried to calm Lisa as she lay in pain at the foot of the stairs.

Mr Clough said: "We got there the same time as the paramedics and we all rushed in together.

"There was Jacqueline holding the baby. She was covered in blood and really shaken up."

Baby John Kevin was taken to Bishop Auckland Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. But mother and son are now doing fine.

Mr Clough said: "We couldn't be more proud. There were two of them helping and one couldn't have managed without the other."

Jacqueline, who has recovered from her ordeal, said: "I feel proud, but I'm just glad that the baby's OK and I'm glad that I helped."