PARAMEDIC Denise Harling has never forgotten delivering her first baby.

Decades have come and gone, but the baby's family have never forgotten the former ambulance driver either.

And now the former bouncing baby, Stacey Hope, delivered a surprise to Stockton ambulance station -an invitation to Ms Harling to her 21st birthday party.

Ms Harling said: "It was so nice to meet up with Stacey and her family on Saturday. They are such a lovely family and I am still amazed that they remember who I am.

"You never forget the first baby you deliver, particularly because it is one of the few jobs that we are called to that ends as a happy occasion.

"I think by now I have probably delivered about 21 babies, but I will never forget Stacey and her family. I am just honoured that I was invited to celebrate the occasion."

She delivered Stacey Louise Hope in the living room of mother Sharon's home in Ashbourne Road, Stockton, on September 29, 1986. Stacey's grandmother, Nora who was at the birth, said: "I thought it would be nice for Denise and Stacey to meet up to celebrate 21 years since her birth.

"The family are still very grateful to Denise for all her help, and she will never be forgotten.

"I remember the day Stacey was born as if it was yesterday. It was about six o'clock in the morning when Sharon phoned to tell me she had really bad back pain and thought that she might be in labour.

"I immediately phoned an ambulance and it arrived within minutes. Denise was brilliant and delivered Stacey in the living room.''

Ms Hope, a cleaner, celebrated her birthday at Newtown Club, Stockton. She said: "It was really good to meet Denise."