A GRANDMOTHER has said a big "thank you" to the 999 ambulance operator who helped deliver her daughter's baby by . . .on the phone.

Ambulance telephonist Vicky Sharpe gave gran Rosalind Parden by phone when it became obvious that the baby was determined to enter the world before the paramedics arrived at the family home.

Mrs Parden, aged 51, had telephoned for an ambulance when her daughter Diana Cox, aged 26, started having contractions at her home on Mill Hill, Little Hulton.

Ambulance operator Miss Sharpe gave the anxious gran precise instructions and within minutes baby Elizabeth Rosalind Cox was born.

The baby started to arrive as her mother was in the bath trying to relax before being taken to hospital.

But as husband David and Mrs Parden were preparing to take her to hospital, she suddenly shouted: "I'm pushing."

Mrs Parden took her downstairs and made her comfortable on the sofa before making an urgent 999 call to the ambulance service.

Telephonist Miss Sharpe answered the phone and gave the gran advice when she realised baby Elizabeth was in a hurry.

Miss Sharpe spoke on the phone for four minutes to Mrs Parden and, after two pushes from Mrs Cox, baby Elizabeth arrived safely weighing 6lb 9oz.

She later visited the baby at the family home to meet little Elizabeth for the first time.

As she cradled Elizabeth in her arms, Miss Sharpe said: "It's really surreal to see Rosalind and Elizabeth. When I spoke to Rosalind two weeks ago and she had given her address, I then established what was happening.

"Rosalind said her daughter was pushing. We have a selection of cards which gives advice and I read one of these out to Rosalind. Rosalind then shouted she could see the baby's head and I tried to keep her calm. And then I could hear a baby crying, it was quite emotional. We all started clapping and cheering."

She added: "It's great to see Elizabeth she is such a beautiful baby.

"It makes the job all the more worthwhile when we get thanks."

Mrs Parden said: "Without Vicky I don't know what I would have done. She was brilliant.

"Those four minutes seemed like the longest four minutes of my life. I want to thank Vicky for all she did, the whole family are extremely grateful."