Dad had to act as stork as a couple discovered baby was arriving too quickly for them to reach hospital in time.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emma Rook and James Boswell with baby Joseph George who was born at home in Leiston.Emma Rook and James Boswell with baby Joseph George who was born at home in Leiston.

After a moment of panic, James Boswell rolled up his sleeves and set about the task of delivering his new son – while partner Emma Rook pushed . . . and held the phone to his ear so he could take instructions from an emergency service paramedic.

Moments later the happy couple were looking adoringly at baby son Joseph, born safe and well, 7lb 4oz, as they waited for specialist help to arrive.

Mr Boswell said: “It was quite hair-raising. It was only afterwards you realise the enormity of it all and reflect on it.”

Joseph was born on July 12 but dental nurse Ms Rook, 35, first started the early stages of labour five days earlier. Twice the couple made the trip from their home in Garrett Crescent, Leiston, to Ipswich Hospital but with no sign of baby’s imminent arrival they made their way home again.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emma Rook and James Boswell with baby Joseph George who was born at home in Leiston.Emma Rook and James Boswell with baby Joseph George who was born at home in Leiston.

Mr Boswell, 50, who works at Tesco and also as an artist, said: “They said we could stay or go home and there was no indication of how long it might take, so we made our way back. We then go through Saturday safely, and then at 8.10am on Sunday the little man suddenly decided to come.

“I had just had a sleep and Emma was in the bathroom when she called me and said, ‘I think something is happening’.

“So I immediately called the hospital and they suggested we come up, but Ipswich is a 40-minute trip and we didn’t think we were going to get there.”

He helped Ms Rook into the bedroom and they again rang the hospital, where staff said they would put them in touch with the emergency services, who then called on their landline.

Mr Boswell said: “I grabbed a whole lot of towels from the airing cupboard and I got Emma onto the bed.

“Then it started turning slightly into a comedy act. Because it was new phone, we didn’t know how to put it on loudspeaker so Emma had to hold the telephone to my ear as she was pushing and so the emergency services person could speak to me to tell me what to do, as I needed both hands free.”

The couple praised the emergency services and Ipswich Hospital for their help.

Mr Boswell said: “They were brilliant, fantastic, and we cannot praise them enough.”

He said he had gone on to automatic pilot when the birth was happening and just did everything he was told over the phone.

He said: “I did have a moment of panic at first but then I thought, you cannot not do this and everything just kicked in. I tried to stay as calm as I could for Emma and to listen and do what I was told.”

Mr Boswell also has a daughter Katie, eight, twin sons William and Oliver, 13, and son Jacob, 18, while Ms Rook has a daughter Beckie, 16.