A Leominster family is celebrating the arrival of a 'fast' new baby.

Little Stephanie Jane Rooke, who weighed in at just over eight pounds, arrived a few days earlier than expected.

Her parents Mark and Julie arrived at hospital in Hereford at 9.35am last Saturday.

Stephanie was born at 10.23am and the trio were back home at Caradoc Drive, Leominster, by 2.30pm.

Proud father Mark, 38, a carpenter, described the turnaround as "amazing" and regretted he had paid out £3 for up to nine hours parking on arrival in Hereford.

Julie, aged 36, an NVQ assessor for the NHS, and her fast-track baby were both in such good shape they were allowed home after just a few hours rest.

"We are over the moon - our family is complete with the arrival of a little girl," said Mark. He thought the little one would be spoilt rotten by her delighted brothers Adam, seven, and Matthew, four.