HARRIET Jackson was looking forward to the arrival of a new baby sister - but little did she know she would be delivering her!The 15-year-old yesterday brought her new sibling into the world after mum Tracey Rose never made it to the hospital and gave birth in the family car in a car park.

HARRIET Jackson was looking forward to the arrival of a new baby sister - but little did she know she would be delivering her!

The 15-year-old yesterday brought her new sibling into the world after mum Tracey Rose never made it to the hospital and gave birth in the family car in a car park.

Today, mum Tracey, baby Erika and sister-turned-midwife Harriet are all doing well.

Tracey, who was due to give birth next week, said: “Harriet and I just looked at each other at the end of it all and were gobsmacked. I don't know who was more shocked.”

The family, along with Tracey's boyfriend Paul Eagle, were travelling from Wattisham Road, Bildeston, where Tracey had gone into labour at home.

She said: “I went into labour at around 5am. I called the hospital but although the contractions were about four minutes apart, they weren't painful, so I asked if I could stay at home and have a cup of tea and shower before I left.

“When we got in the car, Paul was driving really slowly and carefully, but by the time we got to the A1071 I realised we might not make it and said 'go faster'.

“We got into Ipswich and Harriet was on the phone to my mum. She told Harriet to put the phone down and call an ambulance.

“She called 999 and they said 'how far are the contractions apart?' and I shouted, they aren't apart, the head's out.”

Erika, 6lb 12oz, was born in Civic Drive car park, Ipswich town centre, close to the Wolsey Theatre, at 7am.

Harriet, a student at Hadleigh High School, said: “The ambulance people on the phone told me how to make sure the head came out right. I had to rest her head on the palm of my hand and support her neck.

“It was so surreal, as if it was all a dream.”

Tracey said: “By the time the ambulance arrived there was not much more they could do.

“They arrived really quickly but even that was too late. They just checked us over.

“One of the guys suggested we called her Galaxy, as she was born in a Ford Galaxy.”

Have you had an unusual birth? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk