SARAH Perry is no stranger to child care - she and partner Steve have between them a brood which has now reached ten.

But, despite that, when little Shannon Louise arrived on the scene, 32-year-old Sarah could not help but feel history was repeating itself.

For, as she went into labour, she realised for the second time she just wasn't going to make it to the hospital on time.

For her last delivery was born in the back of a friend's car - and her latest bundle of joy decided to put ambulanceman John Cossins's midwifery skills to the test.

Sarah, of East View, Coxwold, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said: "The contractions were weak to start with but, as soon as the ambulance arrived, they came one after another. Once we set off, I warned John that I really felt the need to push. Two more pushes and Shannon appeared.

"John was great. He kept me comfortable and reassured me and then made sure Shannon was fine once she was born."

Despite more than 20 years with the ambulance service, the situation was still a first for John, a leading ambulance technician. "We were about three-quarters of the way to York District Hospital when little Shannon Louise was born," he said.

"Everything went so smoothly, it was a text book delivery really. I didn't have to do a lot as Sarah did all the hard work."

Proud dad, Steve, 31, took it all in his stride.

"I did warn the crew they had better put their foot down and, sure enough, Shannon didn't disappoint," he said.

Paramedic Andy Davies, 43, said: "When John shouted the baby was coming, I stopped the ambulance but, by the time I got into the back, to help, it was all over."

Shannon Louise, who weighed in at 7lbs 6oz, is back home with her siblings - Richard 14; Claire, 12; Conrad, 12; David, ten; Brandon, eight; James, seven; Mitchell, four; Robson, three; and Taren, two.