NEW mum Natalie Wright's journey to hospital took a dramatic twist when she gave birth to her first child in the back of a car after getting stuck in a traffic jam.

Pregnant Natalie, 22, and partner Gareth Duncan, 28, of Coronation Road, Portland, were on their way to Dorset County Hospital after she went into labour.

But as they sat in a traffic jam in Victoria Square, Portland, they realised the contractions were coming every five minutes and baby wasn't going to wait.

They got past the jam after about 20 minutes but by the time they reached Upwey Natalie's contractions had started coming every minute and they had to make an emergency stop near the Ship Inn. Gareth spotted a parked paramedic response car and Weymouth paramedic Mike Wyatt, 36, was able to rush to help with the dramatic birth.

The baby's cord was wrapped around his neck, but 15 minutes later and despite his ordeal, baby boy Eliott was born safe and well weighing in at 8lb 3oz.

Mum Natalie said: "I got my first contraction that morning at 6.45am but because it was my first baby we didn't think I would give birth so quickly.

"When we left home I was having contractions every ten minutes and then within about 25 minutes they were coming every minute.

"I don't remember being very worried but I think it all happened so quickly I didn't have time to be.

"Mike was absolutely fantastic and I was so glad when I saw him as I knew I would be in safe hands."

Mike Wyatt, 36, who has been a paramedic for four years, said they managed to put Natalie in the back seat of the car but by the time the ambulance arrived it was too late to move her and the baby was born there and then.

He said: "We were hoping the cord wouldn't be around his neck but it was so we just concentrated on cutting it and clamping it and getting the baby out as quickly as possible.

"It all happened so quickly I didn't have time to worry about the situation and I thought about what I had to do and the training I had received.

"I think everyone was a bit shocked."

Mike, of Coronation Road, Weymouth, who has two children of his own, said delivering baby Eliott in the red Ford Mondeo car was one of the most 'exciting and nicest' jobs he has dealt with since becoming a paramedic.

And he added: "I am so pleased that both mum and baby are doing so well and I wish them all the best for the future."

Dad Gareth, who also has two sons Nathan and Liam, said: "Natalie and I were both quite calm even though we were stuck in traffic because it was her first baby and we thought there would be plenty of time.

"But her contractions went from 10 minutes to five and then every minute within about 25 minutes.

"We were so pleased to see Mike and I would like to thank him for helping us as I certainly couldn't have delivered Eliott on my own.

"He was absolutely brilliant as were the other two paramedics who arrived Pete Oinn and Deb Boursnell."