A woman gave birth on a coastguard helicopter 1,400 feet in the air while being rushed from the Isles of Scilly to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske.

She went in to labour on Saturday (August 18), and as there was no midwife on the islands a Newquay Coastguard helicopter was called by South West Ambulance at 7pm.

The baby boy did not wait until landing though, and made his appearance at 8.53pm 1,400 feet above Penzance.

A midwife on board the helicopter delivered the healthy baby with the help of the aircrew.

Jonathan Mustard, Aeronautical Operations Controller for HM Coastguard said:

“This is the second time that a baby has been born on board a coastguard helicopter. The last one was born over Lunna Holm, Shetland in December 2012.

"We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to have played a part in the birth and are pleased that mum and baby are doing well. It’s rare to hear that our helicopter launched with 7 people on board, but were preparing to land with 8. Congratulations Mum and Dad!”