INJURED jockey Scott Taylor and former carer Theresa Lishman are celebrating the birth of their first child.

The couple, of Fishburn, County Durham, welcomed their baby boy, Geoffrey, into the world at 10.45am on Sunday - on his due date.

Mr Taylor was at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, to support fiancee Ms Lishman throughout the birth of their son, who weighed 8lb 1oz.

They decided to name him after Ms Lishman's father, who died after being involved in a collision with a car in Sedgefield, County Durham, more than a year ago.

Last night Mr Taylor, who predicted he would have a son, said he was "over the moon" at being a father for the first time, while Ms Lishman said their new arrival meant everything to them.

"We can't believe he is here. He is absolutely fine and in good health. People have said he looks like Scott," said Ms Lishman, 24, who was in labour for 14 hours.

Former National Hunt jockey Mr Taylor has staged a remarkable comeback to health since suffering severe head injuries in a racing accident.

The 29-year-old fell from his mount at Perth Racecourse, Scotland, on August 20, 1999, and damaged the core of his brain.

His ride, Te Akau Dan, caught its legs on a fence, catapulting Mr Taylor into the air before he landed on his head.

He was resuscitated twice on the racecourse, and his family endured an agonising time when he was in a coma for three weeks.

Several weeks after the accident he began to communicate and slowly regained his speech, while also gaining strength in his right arm and leg, which had been left with limited movement.

He can now talk and can take a few steps,with the aid of a walking frame.

Mr Taylor's next challenge is to walk down the aisle when he marries Ms Lishman.

The couple, who have their hands full with the new arrival, have yet to set a date for their wedding