GEMMA McGawley thought she had a stomach bug - but her pain turned to astonishment when she gave birth to a baby girl.

Daughter Holly came into the world in the bathroom of mum and dad's home in Kearsley on Friday morning.

Stunned Gemma, aged 23, and fiance Stuart Nunn had no idea she was pregnant and thought her night long stomach ache was the result of a bug.

But the couple had the shock of their lives when Holly was born without any warning whatsoever.

The overjoyed mum, who works as a chambermaid in a Salford hotel, said: "I was absolutely amazed, just couldnt believe it. There had been no signs I was pregnant and the baby hadnt kicked. I'm exhausted now but over the moon with my little girl."

The couple, who were planning to start a family in a few years' time, only moved to St Kilda Avenue, Kearsley, two months ago from Salford.

Delighted dad Stuart, aged 28, an IT engineer, said: "We feel so blessed. But when Holly popped out like that I didn't know what to do, I thought I was dreaming.

"Gemma shouted me into the bathroom and I didn't understand the sight that greeted me. I phoned for the ambulance then my dad to ask for help. I just couldn't believe it because Gemma has been fine."

Gemma, whose family live in Yorkshire, and 4lb 14oz Holly are being cared for in the Royal Bolton Hospital where staff are trying to establish how premature she is.

Grandad Robert Nunn, who lives in Swinton, said: "When Stuart phoned me with the amazing news I was working up a ladder in my house. I nearly fell off.

"I raced to their house and took a picture of Holly on my digital camera. I followed them to the hospital then returned home. My wife Pat, who was out when Stuart phoned, was home.

"I showed her the picture and she thought it was our other grandaughter who was born three weeks ago. She couldn't believe it when I explained."