A SINGLE mum gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby boy at home with the help of her two young children.

Fiona Lane was at home in Garden Street, Great Harwood, getting nine-year-old Paige and six-year-old Drew ready for school last Tuesday when she went into labour at 8.15am.

Only two days late from her expected delivery date, Fiona did not expect her labour to happen as quickly as it did.

The 37-year-old said: "The morning started off pretty normal but the contractions got more intense and my waters broke so I told Paige to phone the hospital for advice."

Paige called the delivery ward at the Royal Blackburn Hospital but was told to hang up and phone 999 for an ambulance because the delivery was happening so fast.

A 999 operator kept Paige on the phone and helped talk her through the labour.

Fiona said: "Paige was brilliant. She was talking to them getting instructions and then talking to me. She kept saying, ‘Breathe, mummy, breathe’ and kept breathing with me.

"She was so calm throughout and I could not believe how well she did. She took it in her stride and was a complete natural."

While Paige helped her mum, Drew kept an eye out for the ambulance.

Full-time mum Fiona said: "He was running up and down the stairs, looking out the window and reporting what was going on. He came in to the bedroom a few times and rubbed my tummy while it was all happening. He was so good."

Paramedics arrived at 8.40am and little Oliver was born 25 minutes later, weighing in at 8lb 15oz.

Fiona and Oliver were taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital while Paige and Drew went to school.

The youngsters visited their new brother in hospital later that day and both are already smitten with him.

Fiona said: "They both told all their friends at school what they did. They were so excited. They can’t wait to pass Oliver round and give him a cuddle."

The youngsters were looked after by their grandparents while their mum stayed in hospital overnight.

Fiona added: "I can’t believe how well they did for their ages. They both kept their heads down and didn’t panic. I am so proud of them both.

"I definitely have two of the best babysitters in the world for Oliver."