Mum Becky Watson was on her way to the Chichester hospital when her labour suddenly advanced – just after her husband Pete had parked their car.

"She collapsed in the car park and suddenly I was thinking I was going to have to deliver this baby," Mr Watson said. "Luckily a nurse spotted us in the car park and ran over to the labour ward to get help."

Off-duty midwives Helen Fecher and Louise Jones, assisted by other staff from the maternity unit, rushed to the scene.

Mrs Watson said: "The midwife told me this baby was going to be born right here, right now, and that was it."

Ellie-Rose was delivered at 8.49pm on Monday, May 12. She weighed 8lb 4oz.

Mother and baby were kept in hospital overnight before returning to their home in Spencer Road, Emsworth, where Ellie-Rose met her brother and sister Lewis (five) and Lydia (three).

Mr Watson praised the St Richard's staff. "They were amazing," he said.