Little Brandon Hatfield narrowly avoided becoming a water baby after his mum went into labour in the bath.

But thanks to ambulance operator Jane Whitehouse there was just enough time to pull the bath plug before Brandon arrived, weighing 8lb 15oz.

His mum, Amanda Mellor, 24, said he was due to be born today but felt a few twinges on Friday afternoon.

She returned to her home in Fenwick Drive, Woodside, and decided to have a quick bath before setting off for hospital.

But she had only just got in when her waters broke and she summoned boyfriend Anthony Hatfield, 22, while the couple's other son Blake, 19 months, joined in the pandemonium.

Anthony dialled 999 and was connected to Birkenshaw-based ambulance operator Jane, who calmed him down.

"He was running around in a panic," said Amanda. "She didn't have much time to talk to him because it was that quick but she said to let the water out of the bath."

Dad Anthony was kept busy running up and down the stairs between the telephone and the bathroom but stayed with Amanda after it became clear Brandon wasn't going to hang on.

"It scared the life out of me but it happened so quickly I didn't have time to think," he said.

Ambulance operator Jane said it was wonderful to be involved in the birth. She said: "I told Anthony to pull the plug out quickly. There was a lot of running up and down the stairs and then I was told the baby had just shot out."

An ambulance crew arrived shortly after Brandon was born, quickly followed by a midwife and it was decided mum and baby were doing so well they could stay at home.

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