JOY at the miracle birth of a new baby has turned to despair for a Needham Market couple after the baby's uncle was barred from entering Britain.Last month decorator Iain Norman was forced to become a DIY midwife to help Thai wife Wannipa give birth to their daughter en route to hospital in his workman's van - aided by a mystery helper.

By James Fraser

JOY at the miracle birth of a new baby has turned to despair for a Needham Market couple after the baby's uncle was barred from entering Britain.

Last month decorator Iain Norman was forced to become a DIY midwife to help Thai wife Wannipa give birth to their daughter en route to hospital in his workman's van - aided by a mystery helper.

Births in a vehicle makes front page news in Thailand as it is thought to be extremely lucky.

But the remarkable circumstances of little Taisha's birth has brought unexpected heartache as the Ipswich Road couple fear that her uncle, Wannipa's brother, will not be able to see his miraculous niece this Christmas because of a wrangle over visas.

Last year 34-year-old Adun, a manager for one of the largest tourism companies in Thailand, was denied a short-term family visa to visit by British Embassy officials in Bangkok.

This year, the Normans want to try again but fear that last year's experience may be repeated.

"All he wants to do his see his new niece and experience an English Christmas – he may even see snow for the first time," said Mr Norman.

Mr Norman added that the embassy visa staff "grilled" Adun, firing a question a minute during an hour-long interview.

He said that he "panicked" and gave a misleading answer about his marital status because he was ashamed of being a divorcee. He did not realise that this did not carry the same social stigma in England as it does in Thailand.

Recent world events however have cast a further shadow on any travel plans this year, said Mr Norman, as Adun is now afraid to fly anywhere.