A SHROPSHIRE FATHER was today hailed a “hero” for delivering his first-born son on a bathroom floor after his fiancee went into labour six weeks early.

Guy Stockton, 39, and Hannah Wreford, 26, were not expecting their son Edward to be born until April.

But Hannah went into labour at the couple’s home in Carding Mill Valley, near Church Stretton, in the early hours of Sunday, and Edward arrived 10 minutes before the ambulance.

The couple were able to hold Edward for the first time since he was born yesterday.

But he was today on a respirator in the intensive care unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after developing a lung infection last night. It is not yet known when he will be able to return home.

Mr Stockton, who has been dating Miss Wreford for about 10 years and engaged to her for a year, said he had been forced to calm down when the couple realised the ambulance would not make it before Edward, who weighed 4lb 8oz, was born.

He said: “It was a feeling of absolute joy mixed with so much fear at the same time as we knew just how early he was.

“It all happened at about 2.45am on Sunday and Hannah didn’t really register at first – she thought she had eaten something funny and had an upset tummy. But things progressed and before we knew it we didn’t have time to do anything.

“It was a case of calling 999 for an ambulance but Edward came along 10 minutes before the ambulance did. He was born on the bathroom floor.

“We have been able to hold Edward since at the hospital. I do not think of myself as a hero. I was someone trying to do my best for my son and partner.”

Alli Wreford, Edward’s grandmother, said: “Guy is such a hero in my eyes and I’m very proud of both of them. The baby was at least five weeks early — Hannah hadn’t had the chance to start birthing classes.”

Hannah said: “Guy is definitely a hero to me.”

By Peter Kitchen