Motoring Whitchurch mum's special delivery

When Shropshire newborn Isla Hearn entered the world she decided to do so in the family car on the way to hospital.

Little Isla, from Whitchurch, began to emerge as her parents Penny and Steven Hearn raced towards the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in the early hours.

The new arrival, who weighed in at seven pounds, was born in the car between Hadnall and Dobbies Island but mother and baby are now back home and doing well.

The baby's first glimpse of the world was shrouded in darkness because she was born in her mother's trousers. On arrival at the hospital staff were waiting to assist the couple and removed Mrs Hearn's trousers to reveal the special delivery.

Back at home, proud father Steven, 34, who works as a town planner in Wem, treated himself to a well-earned glass of whisky after frantically driving along the A49 and A5 to reach the hospital in time.

Mrs Hearn, a 35-year-old mother-of-three, said the drama unfolded on February 2 just moments after the couple returned from the RSH where they had been after her contractions had started. She said: "It was very dramatic but I can laugh about it now."

Isla is now back at home and getting to know sisters Robyn, five, and Lucy, three.

Mr Hearn has bought a replica model of the Toyota Celica car Isla was born in as a memento of the frantic journey.