A BABY has been delivered by her two grandmothers after her mother went into labour early.

Laura Kirwin, 17, of Crook, County Durham, felt unwell early on Saturday and called her mother, Debbie, who lives in Stanhope.

She and Kaye Dixon, the mother of Laura's partner, Robert, comforted the teenager, but as they were preparing to leave for hospital, Laura realised that she was about to give birth - two weeks early.

Laura said: "It wasn't painful so I didn't realise I was in labour. As we were leaving I felt the urge to push so I knew it was going to come there and then."

Mrs O'Neill and Mrs Dixon helped to deliver Keira Louise, the fifth generation of both families, after following instructions from a paramedic given to them over a mobile phone.

When medical staff arrived ten minutes later they found Laura and her baby in the living room of her home in Langdale Avenue.

The baby's father, 19-year-old foundry operator Robert, was then shown how to cut the umbilical cord.

He said: "I think she looks a bit more like Laura than me. She is spot on."

Mrs Dixon said they thought they had plenty of time, before realising Keira could wait no longer before coming to the world.

She said: "It was amazing and fortunately everything was ok.

"We are all in a state of shock."

Laura and Keira, who weighs seven pounds, were taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital and are expected to be leaving today.

Proud grandmother Mrs O'Neill said: "I want to tell everyone I have delivered my first grandchild. People have said to me, 'I couldn't have done that', but you just have to get on with it.

"She is the perfect little bundle and just in time for Christmas."