A STUDENT nurse got more than she bargained for when she was taken to hospital suffering from period pains.

For within hours, Vicky Sturgess, 24, had given birth to a baby daughter, Ellie Marissa, weighing 3lbs 10oz.

The new arrival was born nine weeks early at the Princess Margaret Hospital on November 13 after hospital staff in Salisbury had previously told the mother her pregnancy test was negative, but sent her to the gynaecological ward where she was again examined. This time she was told she was in labour

Vicky's delighted father, Trevor, said: "I just stood there in stunned silence when Vicky's partner, Andy, phoned us from Salisbury hospital.

"It was about 2.30am when we got the call to say she was in labour.

"We arrived at Salisbury hospital just as she was being transferred to Swindon due to lack of beds.

"Even when she was in labour you wouldn't have thought she was pregnant as she has a very slight frame.

"It was very hard to get our heads around it but both Vicky and Andy have come to terms with parenthood very well. It's absolutely wonderful."

Little Ellie was then taken back to Salisbury General Hospital after two days where she remained for a further four weeks.

She was breathing by herself within an hour of birth and weighed just over 4lbs when she was finally allowed home.

Vicky, who is studying general nursing at Bournemouth University, will continue with her theory at Salisbury hospital.

Ellie's father, Andrew Dalton, 27, is a National Car Rental representative.