A mum from Fulham gave a taxi driver a shock by giving birth to her son in the footwell of his minicab.

Aleid Farnum-Ford went into labour at her home and called taxi firm Addison Lee to take her to hospital.

She had hoped to reach Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with plenty of time to spare but her waters burst soon after getting into Stuart Bluman’s cab.

He managed to race to the entrance of hospital before running inside to alert paramedics.

Once with Ms Farnum-Ford, medical experts decided to carry out the birth in the footwell of the Ford Galaxy car, and a healthy Raphael Winter Winslow was born at 6.50am on February 4, weighing 7lbs 10oz.

Speaking to getwestlondon, Mr Bluman said: “Luckily I had taken NCT classes before the birth of my first child and have three young children myself, so I knew what to do.

“Nonetheless, having a mother give birth in the back of my car is certainly a first for me and I was sure to waiver the waiting time for this extra special passenger!”

The mum of two now refers to Mr Bluman as her son’s Guardian Angel, and is planning to stay in touch with the cab driver.

Ms Farnum-Ford said: “I am so grateful to Stuart – who I’ve nicknamed Raphael’s guardian angel – for helping me and have even re-visited the car to carry out a few comedy re-enactments! We’re looking to get our families together for a play date.”

Addison Lee gave the new-born a model Ford Galaxy car complete with mini branded stickers, and offered him a supply of free minicabs around the capital.