WHEN Carol Litherland went into hospital suffering from back pains, all she took with her was her nightie. Little did she know she'd be taking home a whole bundle more!

For just five hours after arriving in casualty, the 39-year-old from Cumberland Avenue, Grange Park, was holding her very own "miracle baby", little David Wilfred.

When Carol first suffered the backs pains her doctor put it down to strain caused by pushing her mother's wheelchair. But when the pain worsened a couple of days later, a neighbour called an ambulance and she was taken to Whiston Hospital.

And it was only when she was asked to provide a sample so that hospital staff could go ahead with an X-ray that the penny finally dropped - Carol was having a baby!

She told the Star: "I had no idea at all. It was a total and utter shock. Looking back, I must have felt him moving, but I just thought it was wind or something!"

Little David weighed in at 6lb 2oz at 10.30am on Wednesday, September 26. And although she had never planned to have children, it was love at first sight for the astonished but delighted new mum.

"As soon as I saw him I loved him. I didn't want to put him down in case I woke up from the dream. And his dad's over the moon". Carol and husband William have been married for 24 years and had never considered children before.

She added: "We were always quite happy on our own and to think we missed out all those years".

Carol and William would like to thank neighbours, Lisa and Carol, and all the family and friends who have rallied around getting clothes and baby things for them, plus all the staff and midwives at Whiston Hospital.