BABY Melanie Wilkinson made a dramatic arrival into the world - straight into her grandmother's arms.

Cool-headed Lizzie Cash, 56, followed step-by-step instructions over the phone from an ambulance operator when she realised there was no time to get her daughter Andrea Wilkinson to hospital.

Andrea, 20, and Melanie, who weighed in at a healthy 9lb 4oz, are both doing well after the bathroom drama.

Lizzie, from Drove Crescent, Portslade, said: "I was panicking inside, but I knew I couldn't show it. I had to keep calm for for Andrea."

Andrea went into labour on Thursday morning but, because she was not having contractions, maternity staff advised her to have a bath to relax before going into hospital.

Andrea, who lives with her mum, only has a shower so the pair drove to her sister Paula's house in Bellingham Crescent, Hove.

Baby Melanie arrived minutes after Andrea got into the bath.

Paula's husband, Andre Navas, 32, dialled 999 and he was on the phone, calling out instructions to Lizzie, as the baby was born.

Andrea said: "I knew something was happening on the way to Paula's. I'm just glad I didn't have her in the back of the car."

Moments later, as the new mum was cradling her baby, an ambulance crew arrived.

In the midst of the excitement builders also turned up, expecting to fit a new kitchen floor.

Lizzie said: "Andrea was pretty relaxed in the bath, but as she lay down I could see the baby's head starting to show. I couldn't believe it was happening.

"The operator on the phone was telling Andre what to do, he passed it on to me and the baby just popped out.

"We were all so relieved when she cried we put the phone in the bath so the operator could hear. There were hugs all round.

"When the ambulance men walked in the door I just said: 'Thank God you're here' and collapsed in their arms. They were marvellous."

Lizzie, who has three children, was also present at the births of her other three grandchildren in hospital.

Andrea said: "I'm so proud of mum and Andre. Without them being here I don't know what I would have done.

"Having mum deliver the baby made the birth very special and we will tell Melanie when she is older. It is a day we will never forget."

The family are full of praise for the ambulance operator and crew and the midwives who arrived subsequently to care for Andrea and the baby.

Brian Parsons, 50, the ambulance communications assistant who talked Lizzie through the birth, said: "It is the first time I've given instructions on delivering a baby over the phone.

"The birth was very, very quick but the family was excellent, they were all very calm.

"It was nice to hear the baby crying. That was very reassuring."

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