BASINGSTOKE's world-beating cancer surgeon Professor Bill Heald and his wife Bounce have spoken of their joy after it was anounced that their daughter Lucy and her tennis ace husband Tim Henman are to have a baby.

Professor Heald said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It is a new experience for me and a source of great delight to everyone in the family."

But the surgeon from Odiham, who has saved many lives with his bowel cancer operations, added: "It is a bit daunting. I think of myself as being too young to be a grandfather."

The globe-trotting professor, who is surgical director of Basingstoke's Pelican Centre, said there is, unfortunately, a good chance that he will be teaching his surgery technique in China when the baby arrives in October.

He said: "I hope the baby will arrive before I go but I'm not essential, though my wife may be."

The professor said, as yet, the sex of the baby has not been determined, but he has no particular preference as to the child's choice of profession.

However, he added: "I think the country probably needs another good tennis player."

Professor and Mrs Heald have three daughters. Lucy, a TV director, is the middle child. Their eldest daughter, Sara, is a top head-hunter in the City and their younger daughter, Anna, is a hospital doctor, soon to take up a post in London.

Mrs Heald said: "It is very exciting to be grandparents for the first time.

"And it is particularly lovely that the baby will arrive in October which is the close season for tennis. I just want the baby to be healthy."