Brownsea Island in Dorset celebrates rare birth

The couple hoped their first daughter could have been born on the island

A baby has been delivered on a Dorset island for what is thought to be the first time in more than 80 years.

Researchers believe Eric Warwick is the first baby born on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour since 1927.

Anita and Trevor Warwick, the parents of the baby who was born in April, already have a daughter, Edith.

They hoped she could have also been born on Brownsea but Mrs Warwick had to be taken to hospital for the birth because Edith has cystic fibrosis.

Mr Warwick, who is a National Trust warden on the island, said: "Anita always wanted the most natural birth as possible.

'Land a helicopter'

"We tried last time round with Edith but we had to be rushed to hospital.

"This one was more straightforward and he turned up a few weeks ago.

"The midwives were brilliant, they had to do a lot of checks.

"They had most of it done from last time, like where they could land a helicopter if needed.

"But we did get some gas and air beforehand so were ready to go.

"We will be registering him in the next few weeks and we will definitely have place of birth as Brownsea Island, which will be nice."

The National Trust searched the archive and initially thought it was the first birth on the island since 1905 but found a baptism record in 1927.

Brownsea Island is regarded as the home of the Scout Association after Robert Baden-Powell held the movement's first ever camp in 1907.

It is also famous for its population of red squirrels, more than 150 different types of birds and Sika Deer.

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