HE was in such a hurry, he gave his mother a huge surprise - but now, safe and well, he gives his mum the thumbs up.

Little Samuel was born 11 weeks premature without any warning, stunning his mother, Rochelle Gilsenan.

He popped into the world as his mother, a care assistant, nipped to the bathroom at The Bungalow Residential Home, in Mossfield Road, Farnworth.

But now he lies comfortable and healthy in an incubator where he will remain for 11 weeks until he is strong enough to go home.

Rochelle, aged 30, felt the birth coming on and within seconds, baby Samuel was born, weighing 2lb 7oz, only slightly bigger than a bag of sugar.

Rochelle said: "There was no warning. I went to the bathroom and the next minute I felt a sensation that I needed to push and he just came out."

Rochelle was looking forward to completing her last day at work, before going on maternity leave for her first baby but the contractions started.

After the shock of delivering the baby alone, Rochelle raised the alarm and her colleagues were quick to come to her aid and call an ambulance. Rochelle, who experienced no labour pains whatsoever, and her new baby boy were examined by doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Thursday (3).

The new mum said that the doctors were shocked to hear how baby Samuel had been born and quickly ran checks and put him in an incubator for premature babies. But both mother and son were soon given the all clear.

Kath Dugdale, senior midwife at the hospital's neo natal unit, said: "We are delighted to say that baby Samuel is making excellent progress."

Rochelle, who lives on Crompton Street, Farnworth, with Samuel's 32-year-old baker dad Darren Fielding, said they were both delighted.

She added: "It is my birthday this week so it was a nice and unexpected birthday present."

She also said that she was very grateful that the labour had been so swift and painless.

The couple are now looking forward to getting little Samuel home to properly welcome him into the family.