A PROUD Chorley dad has told of his delight after he delivered his wife's baby son - five years after he delivered their daughter.

Nigel Emmanuel, 36, delivered Jude Christopher, on the kitchen floor just 20 minutes after wife Sally had her first labour pain.

He then saved his baby son's life after the cord became trapped around his neck and he stopped breathing.

And remarkably, the sales director also delivered daughter Tullia five years ago when the midwife turned her back for just a few minutes.

Sally, 35, described Nigel as 'my hero' after the amazing turn of events.

She explained: "When Tullia was born we'd only been in the hospital for half an hour when the midwife left the room. All of a sudden I had a big contraction and she just shot out into Nigel's hands.

"I should really have known that this labour was going to be quick as well, but I didn't think it would be that quick!"

The couple, of Dunrobin Drive, Euxton, were in bed at 7am on Sunday, September 12, when Sally woke Nigel to tell him she had felt a twinge.

At 8.20, she had her first real contraction while putting her make up on and called a friend to collect Tullia, now five.

Nigel realised the couple did not have time to get to the hospital so phoned 999.

But just five minutes after Tullia had left the house, Sally was lying on the kitchen floor screaming while Nigel took instructions from ambulance control.

Sally said: "I just had a massive contraction and straight away felt the head.

"Nigel realised Jude wasn't breathing and the phone operator told him to clear the airways, which he did.

"But Jude still wasn't breathing and Nigel was balancing the phone on his shoulder, which he then dropped and we lost the connection.

"A minute later Jude's whole body came out and Nigel realised the cord was around his neck. He removed it and turned him over and smacked his bum and he started breathing."

The ambulance turned up at 8.50 and took 7lb 13oz Jude and housewife Sally to Chorley Hospital where the pair were given a clean bill of health.

Sally said: "Nigel was absolutely amazing, a real hero."

Sally was discharged from hospital after five hours and is now recovering at home.

Delighted husband Nigel, married to Sally for 12 years, said: "When I saw the head come out it was very scary, especially when I saw he wasn't breathing. I think I've watched a bit too much telly because I just instinctively unwrapped the cord smacked his bottom and he started to breathe.

"I went through so many emotions but I was just so happy when I realised everything was okay."

A Lancashire Ambulance Spokesman said: "It looks as though everything went very well despite the circumstances.

"Nigel obviously did a fantastic job."