A baby saved her mother's life when delivery room doctors found a tumour in her womb.

Pregnant Felicity Landale had no idea she had the disease spreading through her placenta and threatening her baby's life.

It was only after the 27-year-old from Fenham, Newcastle, gave birth to her daughter, Thea, that doctors at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, realised something was wrong. An ultra sound revealed a malignant mole embedded in her womb.

Ms Landale's story has surprised medics who say few babies survive when their mother develops placenta cancer.

Ms Landale was put straight on to an intensive seven-month course of chemotherapy to remove the killer cells.

Fortunately, doctors had spotted the cancer in time and managed to stop it spreading.

Professor Barry Hancock, who treated Ms Landale and is a leading oncology specialist, said: "In the 20 years that I have practised medicine in this field, I have seen just 30 cases."

Ms Landale thanked her husband Guy, 28, from whom she is now separated, who supported her throughout her ordeal.

Thea, now 21 months old, has started at Westerhope village nursery and her mother says she is loving every minute of it.

"She is a real character and very strong- willed, sometimes a little stroppy and a bit of a handful, but always cute with it," said Ms Landale.

"I have had such fantastic support from the NHS, I would like to give something back by helping raise money to help people like myself."