Mum Anita Deane never realised she would one day be showing off her own Baby Spice.

But she did just that when her daughter Rebecca caused ripples by being born at Banbury's Spiceball Sports Centre.

Rebecca's big splash into the world happened as Mrs Deane was attending antenatal classes at the swimming pool.

Her contractions began during the class, but by the time the paramedics arrived it was too late.

Rebecca, who weighed in at 7llbs 2oz, was delivered at the side of the pool by the changing rooms at 12.55pm.

Mrs Deane, 34, of The Green, Barford St Michael, said: "The pains started to get stronger, so I went to the side of the pool.

"It's a good thing the class is supervised by a midwife, who was able to help me." Dad Terry Deane, 34, who works in Slough, said he was on his way to the Horton Hospital, in Banbury, when he was told that his wife had given birth.

Her added: "I was getting updates on the mobile phone and it was fantastic news. It took me by complete surprise. I was down the motorway when I got another call saying that Rebecca had been born."

Rebecca was delivered with the help of Debbie Hawthorne, the pool's lifeguard, community nurse Mary Price and student nurse Merrie Morgan.

Around a dozen expectant mums who were attending the antenatal class were on hand to share in the good news.

Sports centre manager Ashley Mason said he felt delighted about the family's good news. He said: "It was a special day here at the pool and we are relieved that both Anita and baby Rebecca are doing well."

Rebecca is the family's second child after Matthew, two, who was born in more usual circumstances at the Horton Hospital.

Story date: Wednesday 10 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.