Baby Dylan decides to make dramatic roadside entrance

On November 12 Southam couple Joe Alsop and Bronwyn Ainsworth were at home when it became apparent that the baby they were expecting was on its way - and was in a hurry.

They leapt into the car to make their way to Warwick Hospital as quickly as they could, but didn’t quite make it.

Mr Alsop said: “It all started to happen very quickly, we both realised she was a lot further along than we’d anticipated and needed to get to hospital as quickly as possible.

“I drove as quickly as I could, but she said she felt like she needed to push. I said it’s fine Bronwyn, just breathe, but she said no, Joe, really. We pulled up at some traffic lights and she said she could feel his head coming out. I was trying to decide what to do.

“I felt his head, so shoved the car onto the pavement. I had my phone in one hand and delivered him almost instantly.

“We’ve got a three-year-old daughter and that was quite a long drawn out birth so we feel it has evened it out! All credit to Bronwyn, she dealt with the pain very well.”

At 9.08pm Brownyn gave birth to Dylan Joseph Radford Alsop on the side of the Radford Road in Leamington.

Mr Alsop contacted the Courier to thank passer-by, Andy Shorter, who saw the commotion and helped them to explain to the emergency services where they were, and stayed until the ambulance arrived.

Mr Shorter, who is county commissioner of Warwickshire Scouts, said: “I spotted the car over the other side of the road with its hazard lights flashing, and suddenly a lady cried out. Caught in a moment of not being sure whether to intervene but also not wanting to walk by it wasn’t long before I heard another cry, but this time it was the sound of a baby. I suddenly realised what was happening and rushed across to see if I could help. The man was on the phone to the ambulance so I gave him the name of the street and then went to the car to find mother and new born baby.

“The two of them were incredibly calm and had everything under control. While the birth hadn’t quite gone to plan there was still an obvious sense of joy and I felt really privileged to witness such a special moment.

“It’s great to know that the family are doing well - a happy end to an incredible experience.”

Mr Alsop added: “We never thought we’d be able to track Andy down to thank him for all his help. Dylan is absolutely perfect.”