AN ambulance mechanic, whose wife went into early labour, saw his colleagues make a special delivery - in a hospital car park.

Dave Capewell's wife Joanne went into early labour at their home in Warndon Villages, Worcester.

Jumping out of bed in the early hours of Sunday morning, Mr Capewell realised the baby was on its way and, with no time to get to hospital, called for an ambulance.

Paramedic Clare Perryman and technician Keith Bason - both friends of Mr Capewell - responded to the call and took Mrs Capewell to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

However, on reaching the hospital car park, they realised baby Suzanne Kathryn - who was not due to appear for two-and-a-half weeks - was not prepared to wait any longer.

"I called for an ambulance and I couldn't believe it when Clare and Keith turned up on my doorstep," said Mr Capewell.

"I followed in my car behind the ambulance.

"The whole incident just left me in complete shock. They had to stop in the car park to deliver Suzanne, but I got there just in time to see her born. We both think Clare and Keith were absolutely wonderful."

Suzanne was born in a staggeringly quick 20 minutes, weighed in at 5lb 14oz and is the third of the couple's children.

Ms Perryman said, although they had both been trained to deliver babies, it didn't happen often and these circumstances were certainly "unusual".

"We were delighted and proud to say Suzanne arrived safely and is doing well," she said.

"Not many people can say they have been born in the back of an ambulance."

Mr Capewell has worked as a mechanic at Worcester Ambulance Station for five-and-a-half-years.