A HEREFORDSHIRE farming family is celebrating a new baby they weren't expecting until three hours before the birth.

Now they say she is a miracle, a gift from God.

Mandy Davies of Lodge Farm, Leysters had no idea she was pregnant until her 7lb 14oz daughter arrived at Hereford County Hospital at 1 am on Saturday.

Mandy, aged 41, felt 'peeky' during the day but thought it was a tummy bug.

She left work early as administrator at Holmer School, Hereford, tended sheep and lambs on the family smallholding and went to bed with a couple of paracetamols.

In labour

At about 9pm she thought things might be more urgent - and told her astonished husband Bill she thought she was in labour.

Their GP told them by phone to get to hospital as soon as possible.

After a dramatic 20-mile-plus drive to Hereford, she was admitted at 11pm and Baby Davies arrived 110 minutes later.

Mandy, husband Bill and 17 year-old daughter Jane were shell-shocked as they admired the full-term healthy baby.

But shock turned to joy as hospital staff offered congratulations - and a little ribbing that they'd not realised what was happening, despite their farming background.

On Sunday Bill took Mandy and baby home arriving with vicar, the Rev. Geoff Middlemiss, and the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev. John Oliver, who was visiting churches in the area. He blessed the baby before she went home.

The news spread like wildfire and congratulations have poured in.

Many found it hard to believe that Mandy had worked full-time until the birth, leaving home at 7.30am.

She had also helped with the sheep on the farm, coped with the paperwork in Bill's Honda quad bike sales business and been involved in village and church affairs. She'd even sold draw tickets and enjoyed a glass of wine at the village hall the night before.

Mandy also finds it had to believe she has gone through a full-time trouble-free pregnancy without knowing.

She said: "We are so privileged, she is a blessed child, a gift from God. She has brought much joy to people already and put a smile on many faces. It is a light in troubled times,"

But she doesn't recommend it - at 41 she would have taken all the advice and services offered and put the safety of her child first.

"I have been extremely lucky. I have a beautiful, healthy baby,'' she said.

At Holmer School staff and pupils were both shocked and delighted.

The birth was announced at morning assembly and gifts have poured in with staff planning baby showers.

Celebrations

The new parents have also been inundated with offers of prams, cots, pushchairs and clothes to tide them over.

The couple are full of praise for hospital staff at the hospital who were 'wonderful' and all their relatives and friends who have joined in their joy.

Mandy and Bill were planning a joint 21st birthday party for son Gareth, who is a student at Leeds University, and 18th for Jane, who is getting used to not being the only girl in the family.

Now it will be a triple celebration, with a christening too.