A proud mum has been reunited with a stranger who came to her aid when she went into labour unexpectedly.

It’s nearly a month since Anne Cannings’ waters burst as she was shopping in Chatham town centre.

The 30-year-old was out with her four children when the fifth one decided to make his entrance.

Ahead of Christmas, Anne met up with Priti Varney, who was one of three women who helped her.

She said: “I would just like to say how thankful I am to the ladies who stopped that morning and also the ambulance staff and the police.

“They were all amazing – each and every one of them were so lovely and went over and beyond to help.”

Anne, of Thorold Road, Chatham, started to feel pains on her way to Chatham train station on November 24 – commonly known as Black Friday.

She said: “I’d felt fine, but I began to get some pains near the shopping centre.

“I thought it’d be best to go home, but obviously I didn’t quite get there.”

Priti and friends Naomi Lewis and Natalie Boswell noticed Anne in distress.

She added: “Priti stopped and asked if I was okay, and I just told her I was 37-weeks pregnant.”

“They were all amazing – each and every one of them were so lovely and went over and beyond to help”

The trio then called an ambulance and got Anne to a spot near camping store Go Outdoors before her waters broke.

Baby Alfie was delivered a few minutes after the ambulance crew arrived.

Inspector Rachel Harris, of the Medway Community Safety Unit, said: "I’d like to commend our officers. Their actions helped provide some comfort to Mrs Cannings and ensured her children met her at a local hospital safely and securely. I wish her, her family, and their new addition, the very best in the new year."

Anne and Priti, who is an engagement worker at Arches Local, have kept in contact after their dramatic meeting.

The 37-year-old left her number with the hospital while calling to see if Anne and Alfie were okay.

The two met up on Sunday at Priti’s workplace.

Priti said: “When I rang the hospital I didn’t know whether she’d want us checking up on her, so it’s great she wants to keep in touch.

“We didn’t want to bombard her with calls after she’d just given birth, so I left my number and I’m so glad she got back in touch.

“She’s been sending me through pictures of her and Alfie; it’s been lovely.”

Most people pick up a new TV or gadget on Black Friday but Anne picked up an extra special gift in little Alfie and made a new friend in Priti.

She said: “I really am so thankful. Priti helped me and her friends looked after my kids while it was all happening.”

Anne and her mechanic husband Cole now head of a family of seven, with Alfie joining Harry, five, Connor, three, Amelia, two, and one-year-old Aidan.

The children rode with policemen to meet mum and baby at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham.

When news of the birth was first reported on KentOnline, there were numerous reader suggestions on what to call the child.

Anne added: “No, we didn’t name him Chatham or Black Friday.”