A BABY who made a dramatic entrance into the world in the footwell of her parents' car has been named Grace in the hope the rest of her life will prove a lot calmer.

A BABY who made a dramatic entrance into the world in the footwell of her parents' car has been named Grace in the hope the rest of her life will prove a lot calmer.

Rebecca Sheldrick, 33, was powerless to prevent the delivery yards from Colchester General Hospital, when the newborn made her unexpected appearance.

Mrs Sheldrick said: “Our other daughter's name Millie means busy and energetic and she has turned out to be exactly like that. So we chose the name Grace hoping she will be serene and we can have some rest.”

Relieved accountant Mrs Sheldrick was being driven to hospital by husband Steven after her waters broke unexpectedly at 4.25am on Friday at their home in Kiltie Road, Tiptree.

Mrs Sheldrick could feel the baby coming and rang the ambulance service en route, which advised her to meet personnel by Colchester Zoo in 13 minutes' time.

But the mother-to-be knew this would be far too late and the couple continued their urgent journey to the hospital. Bank manager Mr Sheldrick, 34, tried to keep his wife calm during the ordeal.

She said: “If Stephen hadn't stayed calm I'd have completely lost it. It was really traumatic as my first baby was induced so everything was planned - I hadn't gone into labour naturally before so I wasn't prepared for the way Grace arrived.”

The couple believes a speed bump at the entrance to the hospital provided the ultimate catalyst for the remarkable delivery, which occurred at 4.50am.

Mr Sheldrick then rushed to pick up the baby from the footwell, aided by two members of hospital security. Midwives then hurried out to Mrs Sheldrick and cut the umbilical cord while she still was in the car: “They helped me into a wheelchair and I was naked from the waist down, so I was pleased I didn't realise there was a crowd of people cheering. Steven told me after and I'm so relieved it was dark.”

Despite the shock, Grace, weighing 9lb 13oz, received no injuries from her bumpy arrival and is now settling into her home with her parents and two-year-old sister.