He may have only had his first birthday on Sunday but little Robin Francis has already had his fair share of drama.And as the youngster from Dereham celebrated his special day on Sunday his family remembered the little tot's dramatic entry into the world.

He may have only had his first birthday on Sunday but little Robin Francis has already had his fair share of drama.

And as the youngster from Dereham celebrated his special day on Sunday his family remembered the little tot's dramatic entry into the world.

Robin arrived so quickly that mum Melanie Thurston, 33, could not make it to the maternity ward in time and ended up having her son outside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with the help of Robin's dad Simon Francis, 35, and in-patient reception co-ordinator Sue Flack.

Ms Thurston, who also has a four-year-old daughter called Poppy with Mr Francis, said: 'I just felt sheer panic. We left Dereham as soon as my waters broke and got to the hospital car park by 3.15pm but Robin arrived within minutes.'

She said as she walked towards the maternity block she felt Robin's head under her trousers. Mr Francis ran into the hospital to get a wheelchair but as he rushed out he was just in time to catch his son who arrived at about 3.18pm weighing 7lb 13oz.

And Mrs Flack was soon behind him wrapping up little Robin in her own suit jacket to keep him warm in the crisp cold winter's day until the midwifery team arrived.

Now 12 months on Ms Thurston said Robin has grown to be a very happy little boy.

The family has kept in touch with Mrs Flack, swapping birthday and Christmas cards and visiting her every time they are at the hospital.

'I think we will be friends for a long time. There is something quite special between us all.' said Ms Thurston.