Clayton, 40, had to step in and take charge when his wife Jessica went into labour on Sunday morning at the couple's flat in Lennox Road, Worthing.

And new dad Clayton did so well the midwives joked that if he ever wanted to change his career as a window cleaner, he could have a job with them.

"It all happened so quickly," said Clayton.

"We got the midwife out at about 2am and she said Jessica was maybe 7/8/9 hours away, so she went home.

"But at 5am, Jessica said it was getting really painful and at 6am, I called the delivery ward, who told me to call 999."

Clayton added: "As I was talking to the girl on the phone, Jessica was saying 'the baby's coming' and I could see the head."

Delivery

With no time to spare, Clayton followed the operator's instructions and supported the baby's head before delivering his son and placing him on mum's chest. Baby Stellan was a healthy 7lb 1oz.

"It was scary, but you really don't have time to worry too much," said Clayton. "Jess was a little bit traumatised but amazed we did it together.

"It feels really special. Not many fathers get the opportunity to deliver their child."

Jessica, 31, said: "We had planned a home-birth, but we hadn't planned for Clayton to be the midwife. I felt safe in his hands, though – he was amazing.

"It has created a really special bond between the baby and Clayton – and the baby is really calm, which is actually the meaning of Stellan."

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