A SPECIAL delivery awaited 18-year-old Rebecca Chilvers when she returned some videos to her pregnant friend.

The teenager ended up helping Linda Hall give birth to her 8lb 1oz baby girl.

Rebecca, of Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall, York, said: "I just went round to return the videos and have a cup of coffee, but I ended up helping her give birth.

"Linda said her waters had broken, and ten minutes later her daughter had been born.

"It was certainly the highlight of my day - to think I actually helped bring somebody into the world

Rebecca was joined by Linda's boyfriend, John Hamilton, and their three children, Joe, four, Lisa, six and Sophie, two, in the couple's house in Sycamore Place, New Earswick.

She said: "I phoned the ambulance and was given instructions of what to do over the phone. I shouted them out to John, things like telling her to breathe and not to push too hard.

"All the time, the emergency services were saying the ambulance was only four minutes away, then three minutes, then two. By the time it got here she had been born."

The baby, who has not yet been named, was visited at home by a midwife. No hospital treatment for mother or child was needed.

Rebecca said: "I was a bit shocked, but I've been walking around with a big smile on my face all day. I am very proud of myself.

"I have asked Linda if she would call her Becky, but we'll wait and see."

John, 33, said: "I've been there when the others were born, but I have never had to actually be directly involved in it before.

"It was just one of those things you had to do. We really weren't given any choice, and everything was happening so quickly that you didn't have time to think of anything.

"It's certainly something we will never forget, and its a great tale for our daughter when she's older."

Linda, 29, said: "I am only glad that both of them were there."

Both the baby and mother were doing well after the birth.

Ambulance service spokesman Ray Walker said: "There was nothing for the ambulance crew to do when they got there. All the work had been done over the phone.

"They did a brilliant job and followed the instructions very well."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk

PICTURE: GETTING IT TAPED: Linda Hall, right, with her new baby, Rebecca Chilvers and Linda's boyfriend, John Hamilton, who both helped with the delivery

Picture: David Harrison