A doctor accused of using excessive force and forceps like "salad servers" to deliver babies, told a General Medical Council hearing yesterday that his actions had been necessary.

It has been alleged that associated specialist Janusz Wszeborowski, 67, used excessive force to deliver three babies, and that his treatment of mothers was inappropriate and insensitive.

In one case, Lesley Pallister's son, James, was eventually delivered with his head swollen to twice its normal size. He also had a black eye and a cut on his ear, the General Medical Council hearing was told was told.

Mrs Pallister, 30, said she was hysterical as Dr Wszeborowski "yanked" on her baby's head with a Ventouse Cap - also known as a vacuum extractor.

The gynaecologist then used forceps, pulling so hard that he dragged the hospital trolley across the floor, even though the wheel brakes were on, she said.

Earlier, the committee was told by another mother that she was almost dragged off her bed during a procedure which involved the doctor fixing a suction cap to the baby's head.

Polish-born Dr Wszeborowski, who treated patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Gateshead, Wearside, said that while he tried to put patients at ease, he did not chat to them because his English was not good.

He said: ''I always tried to cut my conversation during any examination to necessary words because my English vocabulary is not very understood.

"If I say something sometimes people are more concerned what I am talking about so my conversation with the patient was very limited always."

Dr Wszeborowski, of Shotley Gardens, Gateshead, denies serious professional misconduct.

The hearing continues today