LITTLE Lewis Reed had a welcome party all ready and waiting when he popped out two weeks early.

As well as mum Alyson and dad Bill, the family's living room had two paramedics and three midwives - and a couple of passing neighbours trying to watch the drama through the window.

Lewis wasn't due until next month but when Alyson had a twinge just after 7.15am, Bill decided to make preparations for a trip to hospital.

Minutes later 33-year-old Alyson's waters broke and she only just managed to make it into the lounge at the house in Springvale Garden Village, Darwen.

Paramedics arrived and decided that Alyson was too far down the line to be moved to hospital. Neighbour Sue Henry, a midwife in Darwen, was called in but because she was officially on holiday wasn't supposed to actually deliver the baby.

Instead she comforted Alyson while another two midwives were summoned to take over the delivery.

"The birth of our first baby Megan was a very difficult one so it was all a bit worrying really," said Bill 37, who runs two opticians shops in the Manchester area.

But at 8.35am, 7lb 2oz Lewis was born without any problems - and to a big cheer.

"We've only got a small living room so it was a bit crowded really! But everyone did a fantastic job and we are so grateful to them all."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.