NEW mum Lindsay Miller today spoke of her dismay after learning that the rural police station where she gave birth could close.

Lindsay, 23, of Edisford Road, Clitheroe, had to rely on Det Sgt Pam Holgate to deliver her baby when her husband's van broke down in Langho as they made their way to hospital on Tuesday.

New legislation brought in by the Government dictates that when the current occupants retire, new constables will no longer be entitled to live in police houses free and will instead have to pay a rent.

They will also no longer qualify for housing allowance and it is feared that the rents will be out of the reach of many constables and rural police houses will close.

She added her relief that rural beat police houses still exist in the Ribble Valley and said the outcome could have been quite different had she been forced to rely on someone less calm to help her deliver her baby.

Lindsay and her partner Chris Jackson set off for Queen's Park Hospital maternity section in Blackburn when she went into labour two weeks early but 10 minutes into the journey as the couple reached Langho, young Chae decided he wasn't waiting.

"We set off from home at around 9.30pm but as we were going into Langho things began to happen quickly," explained Lindsay who said Chris stopped their van and went into the police station.

"I didn't even know there was a police station in Langho, but I'm certainly glad there was and grateful to DS Pam Holgate who safely delivered Chae just 10 minutes later.

"I really don't know what we would have done if the police hadn't lived nearby," said Lindsay who was back home by yesterday teatime to show 16-month-old Ewan his new 6lb 6oz baby brother.