An expectant couple urgently driving to the hospital were stunned when their baby girl was born on the A590.

Chiara Musetti, 28, was one day overdue for the birth of her daughter Siena when she felt contractions in the middle of the night.

Her partner James Spence drove her to Furness General Hospital in Barrow but they found their route held up by flooding caused by constant heavy rain and traffic lights.

And, with the hospital still five minutes away, the couple were amazed when Chiara, 28, gave birth to their daughter in the car.

The hotel reception manager described the experience as ‘something out of a film, that it didn’t seem real’.

“It was the day after my due date and all of a sudden I went into labour," Chiara said.

“We ran out the house and went down Newby Bridge road to get to Barrow but it was a bad road.

“It was raining so badly so there was a lot of floods along the road.

“James kept having to get out of the car to see how deep the water was. We had to do this a few times.

“As we got into Ulverston, that was when my waters broke.

“The baby was coming but we were still about 10 minutes away from the hospital.

“The traffic lights were all red and things kept slowing us down.

“As we got into Lindal-in-Furness we knew it was close.

“I was in the passenger seat. I sat up and she just came straight out. It all happened so quickly.

Chiara said the surprise birth was 'so crazy' but, looking back, was able to laugh about the number of obstacles that seemed to be placed in the couple's way on their emergency journey.

“I was completely stressing out," she said. "I thought ‘Oh no, this couldn’t be happening'.

“As we set off it did cross my mind that it may happen like that but I didn’t think it that seriously.

“It was so quick. It was funny how we kept getting held up by everything.

“It must have been about 2.30am when it happened.

“My partner was saying ‘Oh my god’ and I was crying when it happened.

“When we got there James rushed to the door and called for help.

"He didn’t have his shoes or socks on. He got out and banged on the doors asking for help. About five midwives came out and got me inside.

“Since then, she’s been really healthy, and the most chilled-out baby ever.

“She’ll be hearing about this when she’s older; she’s the loveliest baby in the world."

Siena's brother, Luca, was also born in unusual circumstances as he arrived while the couple were attending a wedding in Manchester, but the pair, who live in Windermere, believe they are the luckiest parents in the world.