A passing mother delivered a baby when a woman went into labour in a shopping mall.

Abigail Reddick’s third child was due on Christmas Day but she was shopping at the Chequers Centre in Maidstone with her mother Rita when she realised something was wrong.

Just five minutes later, she was holding her newborn baby boy.

The 22-year-old, of Lower Road, Maidstone, said: “I had some pain but it just felt like backache. I had to sit down on a bench outside Iceland. I just went white and said to my mum ‘the baby’s coming’.”

Passing shopper Margaret Flood, a trained first aider, quickly assessed the situation.

She said: “The baby was crowning and my mother’s instincts just kicked in. I’ve never delivered a baby before, but I just reacted naturally.”

“I was trying to keep the mum calm because it happened so fast.”

Margaret wrapped the healthy new-born in a blanket and handed him to PCSO Caroline Wayland.

It is the second time Abigail, who named the baby Freddie, after her grandfather, has given birth in an unconventional way.

Her second child, Lexie, was delivered by Abigail’s father on the bathroom floor.

Her mum Rita, 49, who is now a grandmother of six, said: “I can’t wait to see their faces when we go to register the birth and we tell them where he was born.

“We wanted him to turn up before Christmas, but not like this! I don’t know what we would have done without Margaret, she was so calm. We’re still in contact so we are going to meet soon and take her some flowers and chocolates.”

“We wanted him to turn up before Christmas, but not like this! I don’t know what we would have done without Margaret, she was so calm" - Abigail's mum Rita

Security staff put screens around Miss Reddick, who was taken to Pembury Hospital by paramedics with her new son.

PCSO Wayland said: “It was a first for me in eight-and-a-half years as a PCSO – you never know what new things you’re going to get in this job.”

The Mall has presented Abigail with baby products to celebrate the centre’s first birth.

An Iceland spokesman said: “At a time of year when the arrival of a baby is on most people’s minds, our hearts were all warmed by the story.

“Everyone loves a happy ending so we’re naturally delighted.

“We’re sending her some Iceland vouchers to help her celebrate in style.

“And that, of course, is why mums go to Iceland!”