TWO Kent Police officers got a big surprise when the driver of a car who had stopped on the Thanet Way flagged them down.

The two Margate traffic officers, a 10-year veteran and a student officer, were on patrol at about 9.40am on Friday when the driver explained that his 28-year-old partner was giving birth on the back seat of their car.

The officers advised the man to drive his car to safety in a nearby truck lay-by at the St Nicholas at Wade roundabout and away from the busy A299.

It was during the short journey into the lay-by that Herne Bay couple’s baby girl was born.

The officers called for an ambulance but in the meantime were given guidance by ambulance staff on how to care for the mother and baby over the phone.

A short time later the ambulance arrived and took mother and child to QEQM hospital at Margate.

Police say both mother and baby are reported to be doing well.