A couple got a double new year shock when their baby arrived in their bathroom — shortly before a mountain rescue team turned up.

Lindsay Fane, aged 31, of Kilsby Close, Moses Gate, called the Royal Bolton Hospital at 3.15am on New Year’s Day to say she was in labour.

Leah Jasmine Fane arrived an hour later, weighing in at 7lb 11oz, delivered by Lindsay’s husband David — just as a fully kitted-out team from Bolton Mountain Rescue rang the doorbell.

The few hours either side of the turn of the year are often the busiest for paramedics, so the rescue volunteers pitch in.

Mr and Mrs Fane said the drama had taken them by surprise, but they were relieved it ended well.

Mrs Fane said: “We called for an ambulance, but there was no time. It all happened really fast and then the rescuers got here. It was a bit of a shock.

“They checked Leah and her temperature. It was a bit different to when I gave birth to my other daughter, Cara, who is two-and-a-half, but we are just relieved Leah is happy and healthy.”

Mr Fane said: “I delivered the baby with the help of a paramedic on the other end of the phone.

“The hospital didn’t say the rescuers were coming, so when they arrived, we thought ‘what are you doing in Moses Gate?’ — there are no mountains round here. They had all their gear on.”

Rescue team leader Mike Marsh said: “We’ve never had anything like it before, but we are all trained in childbirth as part of our first-aid training. It was something a bit different, but we were just glad to be of assistance. The couple were relieved to get some support.”

Leah was not the only New Year’s Day baby in Bolton.

Drida Andci, aged 22, of Barn Street, gave birth to a girl weighing 9lb 2oz at 7.30am.

Drida, who moved to Bolton from Albania four years ago, has yet to choose a name.

The Bolton College IT student said: “I am going to let my auntie choose the name. It is a very happy way to start the year.”

Another new addition was Kylan Waghorn, who was born two weeks earlier than expected at 8.30am, weighing 6lb 6oz.

Mum Stacey Peacock, aged 25, Belcroft Drive, Little Hulton, said: “It was quite a shock when I went into labour.

“I am relieved everything is well, though he has to stay in for observation for 24 hours.

“His grandparents can’t wait to see him.”

Kylan has two brothers and a sister. Reece, aged seven, Jack aged six and Tia, aged four.

Dad Danny Waghorn, aged 25, said: “We will be happy to get him home in the next day or so. It is a great start to 2010.”

Pauline Edmondson, aged 38, of Greenoak, Stoneclough, gave birth to Callum James Edmondson at 12.35am. He weighed 9lb 10oz.

She said: “Next year we’ll be having three parties. One for Christmas, one for New Year and one for Callum’s birthday.”

Callum has two sisters, Jordanna, aged 11 and Bethany, aged 14. His dad is Stephen Edmondson.