IT truly was a family affair when a Sale woman gave birth on her kitchen floor with the help of her mum, husband and daughter.

Rachel Vose was in labour for a mere 15 minutes on Sunday before William Thomas was born weighing 8lbs 15oz.

Pitching in throughout the rapid delivery was mum Jane Bancroft, aged 57, husband Robin, aged 40, daughter Olivia, aged 13, and an ambulance telephone operator.

Rachel, also mum to three-year-old Alexia, said: “The entire labour happened so quickly that I gave birth 10 minutes before the paramedics arrived and half-an-hour before the midwives did.

“My family were amazing and so was the operator, she kept so calm and told us what to the whole time. I couldn’t have done it without their help.

“William is perfect, he truly is the best Christmas gift we could hope to have.”

Rachel, aged 34, of Green Lane, explained how she felt contractions at about 8am when she was nine days overdue.

She called Jane, who lives 200 yards away on Redcroft Road, and told her to get ready to come to Wythenshawe Hospital.

Rachel added: “Mum arrived at the house and didn’t even have time to take off her coat before William was born at 8.15am.

“Mum and Robin had to call emergency services. The operator told us what we needed for the birth and Olivia ran around getting towels while making sure Alexia was ok upstairs.”

The whirlwind experience was a first for Rachel after Olivia was born following a one-hour labour and Alexia after four hours, both at Trafford General Hospital.

On this occasion, paramedics checked over both mother and son and deemed them to be in perfect health, meaning they did not have to go to the maternity unit.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: “Helping to bring a baby into the world is an extremely rewarding experience for everyone involved.

“Well done to dad and grandma for staying calm and helping to bring a new baby boy into the world. Congratulations to all the family on their new arrival from all of us.”