When Steve Blyth decided to breed his much-loved Labrador so his grandson could have a puppy, little did he know there would be 10 girls to pick from - and that he would have to deliver several of them in the back of a car.

When Steve Blyth decided to breed his much-loved Labrador so his grandson could have a puppy, little did he know there would be 10 girls to pick from - and that he would have to deliver several of them in the back of a car.

The adventure began on Thursday when three-year-old Bramble went into labour.

Mr Blyth, from Bramerton, said: “It started at 9am and by 1pm she was trying to pass a pup but was struggling. I phoned the vets in Long Stratton and they said to bring her over. The vet examined her and said she had quite a big pup coming out backwards. She gave her an injection to bring on contractions which started within 10 minutes. The vet had to help her but the pup was born and a bit later the vet said we would be okay to get home before the others came.”

But Bramble did not even make it back to the car.

“I was walking her out on a lead and she squatted down and pushed another pup out,” said Mr Blyth.

Back in the vets all the dogs were checked over and it was thought the next pup was at least two hours away from being born.

“I got in the car with the two pups, Bramble was in the back and my friend was driving. We hadn't gone 300 yards around the corner when another one popped out. My friend asked if we should turn round and go back to the vets but we just decided to head for home,” he said.

Just as they got back to the village another pup was born and by the time they got home there were five. But Bramble was not finished yet.

“By 9pm that night we had nine pups and I was sure she couldn't have any more. She is only a small dog,” he said.

“I had to revive three of them for about four or five minutes after they were born. I learned from watching the vet.”

Builder Mr Blyth, 51, and his friend decided to go for a celebratory drink at the pub but the minute two pints were placed on the bar his phone rang and his partner Lianne said another pup was on the way.

“We just left the pints on the bar and headed home. By the time we got there Lianne had already delivered the 10th,” he said.

“My four-year-old grandson Hugo came over and saw some of the pups being born and he has already picked his out - the runt of the litter, which he has named Soot.

“I didn't get to bed until 5.30am. I was just making sure there were no more on the way and swapping them around so they all got a feed.”