Tiny Tia Mosedale had a rude introduction to the world - after she was born in the back seat of her mum and dad's new car.

Tia was due to be born on Saturday in Southend Hospital.

However she surprised her parents Amber and Grant Mosedale, of Hannah Close, Canvey, and popped out in their Nissan Terrano four-by-four on the London Road in the middle of the rush hour.

Her shocked mum Amber, 29, said: "I was at home at around 5.30pm on Thursday when I started getting pains.

"I knew it would be quick as this was my fourth pregnancy so I told my husband to get me to Southend Hospital.

"It was the middle of the rush hour and the traffic was quite bad.

"We were going along the London Road through Hadleigh when I felt the head pop out. I started panicking because I didn't know whether the cord was stuck around her neck so I didn't want to push anymore.

"Grant pulled up outside Sofas For You, in London Road, jumped out of the car, took one look in the back seat and ran off.

"I wondered what he was doing and thought 'He's leaving me!' but he had heard an ambulance, jumped out in front of it and got the paramedics to help me."

The two paramedics assured Amber that the cord was not wrapped around the baby's neck, delivered her and took mum and baby to Southend Hospital. Amber said: "I could not believe it. Fancy having a baby in the middle of the road in the rush hour?

"When we got to hospital Tia had to go into an incubator for a couple of hours as her temperature was below normal as she had been born outside.

"Now she is fine and we are all at home."

Tia Grace weighed 7lbs 1oz when she was born and has settled in well at home with her brother Rhys, six, and sisters Ruby, four, and Caris, two. Amber could not believe Grace was delivered in the car, especially as the couple had only brought it a month ago.

Luckily her husband Grant, also 29, works as a commercial car cleaner. She said: "I was more worried about the state of the car."

Cuddle - baby Tia gets a special cuddle from Amber and Grant Mosedale after being born in the family car on the way to hospital

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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