A MOTHER-TO-BE received an armed escort to the hospital delivery room.

Lesley Poole arrived at North Tees University Hospital, Stockton, at high speed with blue lights flashing and sirens blaring and in the company of two police marksmen.

Husband David had been near his wit's end when, with his wife's waters broken, their car was caught up in rush hour traffic on the way to hospital from their home in Billingham.

Then David spotted a Cleveland Police Range Rover, occupied by officers who later turned out to be marksmen, parked on the other side of the road.

"I've never seen a vehicle go so fast, they just took off,'' said 34-year-old security guard David.

"The baby was due shortly but they kept talking to her and got through the traffic to get her to the hospital.

"The police were absolutely magnificent. One of the officers went up to the ward with her to make sure she was all right. We can't thank them enough.''

PCs Ron Hall and St John Callaghan said they had been pleased to help.

PC Hall said: "The husband was naturally a bit agitated when he knocked on our window and said his wife's waters had broken. We said we would take her and we were a bit worried she was going to give birth on the back seat.

"We were keeping her talking and suggesting a few names and I took her up to the ward to make sure everything was fine.''

David brought Lesley, 27, and 6lb 9oz baby Matthew John home at the weekend. The baby is a brother to three-year-old Ciaran.