A COUPLE whose baby was almost born in a car park have thanked the paramedics who got them to hospital in the nick of time.

Diane Brown, from Eldon Lane in County Durham, had to give birth in a wheelchair after being rushed into Darlington Memorial Hospital by paramedic Louise Chapman and emergency care assistant Tony Reeves.

Though they managed to get Mrs Brown inside the hospital and upstairs, they had to deliver baby Bobby Jack themselves before they got her into a bed.

Mrs Brown and her husband Adrian were sitting down to some fish pie in front of the X Factor when she went into labour at about 8.30pm on October 18, shortly after returning from hospital for a check-up.

She said: “We went straight through to Darlington but when we arrived the contractions were so strong I couldn’t get out of the car.

“Luckily for us Louise and Tony were outside so they came out with a wheelchair and got me inside. As soon as I got in the door I had to push. I thought I was going to give birth in the lift but they just got me to the ward. I didn’t even get out of the wheelchair.

“I didn’t have time for any pain relief so I was just holding Tony’s hand.”

Bobby, who is now five-weeks-old, was born a healthy 8lb 8oz at 9.05pm on October 18, after just a 39 minute labour.

His parents, who have two other children - Molly, 11, and Bethany, 15 - have now been reunited with Ms Chapman and Mr Reeves in order to say thank you for their part in the drama.

Mrs Brown added: “We’re just so pleased they were there and stayed with us. We’re so lucky they were in the right place at the right time.

“Looking back now it’s great but it was quite dramatic at the time.”

Ms Chapman said: “It was lovely. It’s such a privilege to share such an emotional moment. It’s a very joyful experience.”

Mr Reeves, who has recently joined the North East Ambulance Service after a career in the Royal Air Force, added: "It's not something I've ever done before. I thought it was amazing."