A CALL handler helped safely deliver a baby girl despite being almost 300 miles away.

Simon Williams talked mum-to-be Shafin Jahan through the final stages of labour even though he was in a Newcastle call centre and she was in her Surrey home.

He sent an ambulance to Mrs Jahan’s home, but with baby Umaima on her way, Mr Williams talked the couple through delivery over the phone.

He has now travelled down to meet the couple and their new arrival face-to-face.

Mrs Jahan said: “Simon clearly guided us through the whole process and had a really calming influence that made me feel safe and happy the whole way through.

“We are so grateful for all his help and meeting him has meant that we have been able to thank him in person.”

Mr Williams, who works for Vocare which operates GP out-of-hours services, said: “It is my job to help people with medical problems all day, every day, and some of them have much more complex needs but for some reason, this call felt particularly special. I felt a real sense of pride after the call.”