A New Forest couple has extended a big thank-you to the ambulance crew that helped them deliver their son, who arrived two weeks earlier than expected.

Janine Blackburn (25) didn't have time to get to hospital when she went into labour suddenly on Saturday morning.

The ambulance crew arrived at their council house in Brockenhurst in the nick of time and Jake, whose father is Glenn Stephenson, was born on the couple's bathroom floor.

"I woke up needing the loo and the next thing I knew, I was in labour. It really started hurting and I couldn't get off the toilet," said Janine, who has lived in the village for 16 years.

Glenn, who works at a garden nursery in Lymington, said he woke, hearing a loud noise. "I've never heard anyone screaming like that. I asked if she was all right and she just screamed at me."

Glenn, Janine's partner for five years, called the emergency services and told them what was happening. He was told to go back and examine her to see how close the baby was to being born.

After managing to get Janine off the loo and onto the floor, Glenn was able to assess the situation: "I could just see the impression of a baby coming through. I went back to the phone and they said: 'It looks like you're going to have to deliver the baby'," he said.

The 33-year-old, who has now become a father for the first time, said the prospect of having to carry out the delivery himself had filled him with dread.

Another problem he had was the fear that the ambulance crew from New Milton would be unable to find their house in Auckland Place, which he said was "awkward to get to".

Fortunately, seven-year-old Jon, Janine's son from a previous relationship, came to the rescue and went and fetched crew members Graham Tucker and Jane Reid when they arrived.

"He was the bravest seven-year-old I've ever seen," said Glenn. "The relief to see them was tremendous. They gave Janine gas and air and a couple more pushes and then it all happened. It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. The support of the crew both while they were here and afterwards was just brilliant."

Janine said much of the experience had been rather a blur, but extended heartfelt thanks to the ambulance team. "They were brilliant. I was just so pleased he was okay. I think we both went into shock because it happened so quickly. I thought I'd be at hospital, but no such luck."

She said Jake, originally due on August 20th and weighing in at a healthy 6lbs 11ozs, was doing fine, despite his dramatic entrance into the world. "Hopefully, he won't cause as many problems growing up as when he was born," she added.

Andy Roughton, head of operations at Hampshire Ambulance Service, said: "On this occasion we had the pleasure of ensuring the safe arrival of a new-born and this is a welcome area of the service we provide."