by VIVIEN KANDEL

A BABY boy has been named after the Sandbach paramedic who delivered their child.

Northwich couple Sharon and Robert Lelonek were on their way to Leighton Hospital for the birth when they realised it was too late.

In desperation the couple rushed to Sharon's mum's house in Victoria Park, Northwich where paramedic Nick Bayes, assisted by Mike Howarth, arrived just in time to deliver the baby.

Nick, a paramedic station officer from Booth Avenue in Sandbach, was thrilled to hear that the Lelonecs have now named their baby Bethany Nicole in honour of the paramedic.

"I am touched and humbled by this lovely gesture and we were delighted to be of assistance," said Nick.

"I cannot thank him enough, although you have people around you, you really rely on the medics, we knew we were in safe hands," Sharon added.

Sandbach midwife, Julie Escourt also made the journey to assist in the delivery and cut Bethany's cord.

The drama began after 33-year-old Sharon went to bed at her house in Carlton Road, Northwich last Wednesday.

She woke up with contractions and the couple got into their car to go to Leighton but only made it as far as London Road, in Northwich.

They tried Robert's mother but there was no answer and Northwich infirmary was locked up but once they arrived at Sharon's mum's house an operator gave instructions over the phone.

Sharon crawled inside to the spare bedroom where Nick delivered Bethany, a healthy 8lbs 2oz on the floor at 1.45am on the Thursday morning.

Mother and baby are both doing fine and waited a couple of hours before going home and the couple, who have another child named Alitre, aged 8, also want to thank midwife Julie Escourt.