MARTIN Bell cradled his newborn grandson on Friday and declared: he's quite the most beautiful baby ever born.

It was a proud moment for the father of two, who'd pledged never to pick up a baby during his general election campaign.

"I never held a baby when I was campaigning because I thought I would scare them," he said on Friday, moments after visiting daughter Melissa and newborn Max in Macclesfield Hospital.

Melissa, who married Peter Bracken shortly after her dad's election victory in 1997, gave birth to 9lb 7oz Max on Friday. He was 11 days late and was delivered by Caesarian section.

"He's definitely in the heavyweight division and Max Bracken is a good strong name too," said Tatton MP Mr Bell.

Max's arrival on Thursday prompted a family reunion.

Melissa's mum, Helen, flew in from China. And their younger daughter, Catherine, jetted in from America.

"It was wonderful," said Melissa's husband Peter.

"A nurse came round to say that there was someone to see Melissa Bracken.

"I thought it was my mother and then they pulled back the curtain and there was Catherine."

On Monday, mum and baby were back home in Handforth after being released from hospital.

But Mr Bell won't see Max again until he returns from Kosovo at the end of the week.

As for gifts, baby Bracken isn't going to be bombarded by new clothes and toys from his granddad just yet.

"He doesn't seem to have many needs at the moment apart from his mum," added Mr Bell.

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