A baby boy was delivered in Chatham High Street - as desperate onlookers tried to help.

Priti Varney, 37, was on her way to work when she and friends spotted the pregnant mother accompanied by four children.

She and her friends noticed that she was distressed, and asked if they could help.

She said: "I saw her walking with her four kids, and she looked like she was in pain.

"I asked her if she was all right and she told me she was 38 weeks pregnant, and she thought she was in labour."

Priti, an engagement worker at Arches Local, rang an ambulance and was told to get the mother somewhere dry and warm until help arrived.

They managed to get the distressed woman to a spot near Go Outdoors.

"We pulled her trousers down because she said she could feel it, and as we did the baby just came out! We had to catch him" - Priti Varney

She continued: "We got her a little way away before she said her waters had broken - she was breathing really heavily.

"We pulled her trousers down because she said she could feel it, and as we did the baby just came out! We had to catch him."

Her friend, Naomi Lewis also helped deliver the baby while another lady, Natalie Boswell, looked after the woman's other children.

Spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance service, Rich Airey, said: "We were called at 9.45am to Chatham High Street to a woman in labour.

"We'd like to thank everyone who came to the woman's assistance prior to our arrival and who followed the instructions of the call taker.

"The baby was delivered a couple of minutes after the ambulance crew arrived to the scene.

"They took them to Medway Hospital and I'm pleased to be able to say both mother and baby are doing well."

Do you know who this mother was? Call the Medway Messenger's news desk on 01634 227803 or email medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.