A policeman who used all his driving skills to race his pregnant wife to hospital was foiled when his baby daughter was born on the front seat of his car.

Tiny Caitlin Mooney stunned her midwife mum Jewell and dad Joe when she made her entrance into the world 10 days early while her parents were racing to the hospital.

Joe, a 39-year-old response team sergeant, put all his driving skills into action when Jewell, 37, went into labour at their home in Shirley at around 2am yesterday (Tuesday).

However, as the couple were driving to The Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough where Jewell is a midwife Caitlin was born on the front seat of their Renault Scenic, less than 40 minutes later.

When the couple reached the hospital a team of doctors, nurses and midwives were waiting for the mother and baby.

Yesterday, Joe revealed how their latest addition scuppered preparations of a straightforward birth.

"Jewell had planned a nice quiet labour," said Joe, speaking from her bedside. "She was going to do the water birth.

"When we got to the hospital the A&E and maternity staff were absolutely fantastic and sprang into action. The car was surrounded by doctors, nurses and midwives."

But if the excitement has resulted in a bit of time off for Sgt Mooney, who is based in Peckham, the same can't be said for Caitlin's older brother Michael, seven, who was packed off to school on schedule for his first day of the new term.

"He and Emma (11) are both excited," said Joe, "but he's a bit disappointed as well that he doesn't have a brother."

Little Caitlin's early arrival was not entirely unexpected, since Michael was also born four weeks prematurely.

However, 38 minutes from first contraction to the birth is still "pretty quick", as Joe put it.

"Jewell didn't say much at the time," he laughed, "apart from the cries of agony."

Emma and Michael met their baby sister for the first time when they visited their mum in hospital yesterday 14 hours after she was born.

"Both mother and baby are doing fine," added Joe.

Caitlin Anna Jewell Mooney weighs 5lbs 11oz.