MAY the first was most definitely Labour day for a new Preston mum when she missed her first vote to give birth.

Eighteen-year-old Maria Whittle was looking forward to marking a cross on the voting paper for the first time, but her overdue baby had other ideas.

Instead of picking out a parliamentary candidate at the ballot box, Maria spent seven hours coping with contractions at Sharoe Green hospital.

Little Ashley Hindle came into the world shortly after midnight on May 2, just as polling results were showing victory for a new Labour government for the first time in mum Maria's lifetime.

Ashley weighed in at a healthy 8lbs 4oz, almost two weeks overdue.

Maria, a hairdresser from Bamber Bridge, said: "It was like Ashley had waited for that day to appear - he was supposed to be born on April 17.

"I was quite excited about casting my first vote but there was no way. I was paralysed with pain all that day. It seemed like I'd been pregnant for years and I just wanted to get it over and done with.

"I joked with the nurses that I could struggle to the polling station and give birth there!"

And it was a case of bad timing for Ashley's father, Robert Hindle, who also missed out on a vote as he only turns 18 on May 28.

Maria added: "I was disappointed at not being able to vote, but Robert and I are very happy and pleased with the outcome all round. One thing's for sure, I'm definitely voting next time."

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