A BABY'S first birthday was celebrated with the quick-thinking health centre receptionist who saved her life.

It was a milestone Liberty Adams’ family never thought she would see when she stopped breathing as they took her to an out of hours clinic in Chorley last February.

Liberty, who has a twin brother, Thomas, was just four-weeks-old when her parents, Josh and Catherine, took her to the Chorley Medics centre on Wigan Road after she fell ill.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly and as the couple entered the surgery they realised Liberty was not breathing.

Dad Josh, 50, said: “She was grey and lifeless and I could feel the life draining out of her. I just went numb, I couldn’t speak.”

Luckily, duty receptionist Dave Tickle, 48, immediately realised the gravity of the situation and took control.

He said: “I heard a lady scream ‘my baby, my baby’ and so I took Liberty to a treatment room and started working on her.

“I contacted the doctor who was with another patient and he took over CPR while I got oxygen. I just tried to be as calm as I could.”

Dr Satyendra Singh continued heart massage on Liberty, who was born 10 weeks premature, and after a period of around three minutes she began to revive.

“I’ve never been so glad to hear a baby cry,” added Dave. “Everyone was just so relieved and emotional. It’s fantastic to see her again on her birthday. She’s really thriving and a beautiful child.”

Josh and Catherine, of Burgh Meadows, Chorley, are in no doubt that their daughter owes her life to Dave and Dr Singh.

Josh said: “With out their calmness and expertise we wouldn’t be celebrating her first birthday this week.

“They brought her back to life and all our family owe them enormous gratitude.”

Liberty was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where she was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a respiratory infection affecting babies.

She was treated there for three weeks and has made a full recovery.

Following the weekend’s birthday celebrations, the family will have another cause for celebration later this year, as Catherine, 45, is expecting the couple’s fifth child.