IN 12 years as a paramedic, Martin Benjamin had never delivered a baby - until his own arrived early.

Little Lucy Benjamin wasn't expected for another two weeks, but left dad with no time to lose.

Martin had his moments-old daughter in his arms at home in Ross-on-Wye just as the colleagues he called to help turned up.

And all he had wanted to do that afternoon was watch the football.

With the game on, Martin's wife Fiona went upstairs for a lie-down with "slight pains" that soon led to full-blown labour.

Martin phoned the delivery suite at Hereford County Hospital to say they were on their way - but then, as quickly became apparent, so was Lucy.

Martin's next call was to the 999 centre that usually sends him out on emergencies and while he was asking for an ambulance, Lucy was on her way.

The couple's two-year-old son Toby had been a fast delivery, now "little sis" was going for the record and Martin was about to deliver his first baby.

"It was so quick I didn't have time to think and just went into automatic pilot. I did remember to make sure the cord wasn't around the baby's neck," said Martin.

All went well with mum and dad cradling 6lb 11oz Lucy as paramedics pulled up outside. Martin's workmates Kate Baldwin and Mark Jones, from Hereford, joined Bromyard-based Adrian Gilbert and Richard Wheeler as the first guests to greet the "new girl".

After a once-over from the community midwife, Lucy was able to stay at home.

Fiona says it was all "a little frightening at the time" with everything happening so quickly.

"But now Lucy's here it is lovely to be able to say she was delivered by her dad," she said.