LITTLE Jamie Day is geared up for life in the fast lane -- after being born on the front seat of a car.

The healthy 8lb 6oz boy made parents Diane Longworth and Gavin Day wait for 12 days after his expected birth date and then made his shock appearance as the couple were being driven to the hospital.

Diane, aged 28, of Waggon Road, Breightmet, went into labour just hours before she was due to be induced by doctors at Royal Bolton Hospital on Thursday morning.

Less than an hour after Diane had her first contraction, Jamie Lee Robert Day took his new family by surprise on the front seat of his auntie's Vauxhall Corsa.

Mum Diane, proudly clutching the baby, said: "He's beautiful, but we were a bit shocked that it all happened like it did.

"He was 12 days late but it was well worth the wait."

Diane woke in the middle of the night while she was staying at the home of her boyfriend's sister in Crossdale Road, Breightmet, and had her first contraction at 3.30am

By 4.25am she was holding the blue-eyed baby as they sat on Long Lane, near to the junction with Bury Road.

She added: "It was a relief to get to the doctors and nurses and hear that everything was all right.

"This is my fourth and I didn't think it could all happen as quickly as it did.

"I'm delighted but feeling a bit tired today."

Diane has three other children -- Christopher, aged 11, Ashley, aged eight, and 16-month-old Courtney.

Dad Gavin said: "She was up in the night and had a slight twinge at about half past three.

"By 4am we decided to set off and her waters broke as were getting into my sister's car.

"We only got about 300 yards when she said she could feel the head. I gave her a hand and a couple of minutes later he was there.

"I wrapped a towel around him and we went to the hospital.

"It's a great feeling."

Proud auntie Sonia Adair, who was driving the car, said: "We just couldn't believe it."

"One minute we were getting into the car and the next Diane said she could see the head when we were on Long Lane.

"I stopped the car and Diane had just delivered the baby almost by herself.

"We had a towel in the car but not much else so we just wrapped him up and drove to the hospital.

"All the doctors and nurses were waiting for us outside and when they said he was healthy we were just so pleased, he's absolutely gorgeous."