LAKESIDE welcomed its youngest ever shopper yesterday when a mum gave birth to a baby girl.

A section of the shopping centre outside Primark was cordoned off when the mum went into labour, but while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, baby Deborah arrived around 5pm with the help Lakeside security officer Maggie Webb and her team before being taken to hospital for a full check-up.

Izzie Peskett, marketing manager for the centre, said: “We would like to congratulate the Williams family on the arrival of baby Deborah.

“While a few women have gone into labour here, this is the very first baby that has actually been born in the centre in the 23 years that we have been open. It was an exciting evening for everyone!”

Shoppers have been busy sending in their well wishes for the family through Lakeside’s social media channels, even creating the hashtag #LakesideBaby.