A SOUTHAMPTON ambulanceman saved the life of a two-month-old baby in a drama at a Hampshire shopping centre.

It was the second time that Shane Woolmore has used his first aid skills to breathe life back into a baby who was critically ill.

In the latest incident the 37 year-old father of two and paramedic Kalli Sheppard were called to the Fareham Shopping Complex when they received a call that a baby had stopped breathing.

Shane said that the baby girl was in the arms of a Boots worker who was a first aider and had revived the child.

But the baby stopped breathing again as the ambulance crew arrived after making their way through the busy shopping centre.

Shane told the Daily Echo how he picked up the tot and gave mouth to mouth resuscitation as he ran through the precinct towards the amubulance.

After a few minutes he said that she began to go pink and cry. It was a sound that made Shane feel like crying for joy.

Fareham-based Shane said: "It is a fantastic feeling when something happens like this. You cannot really put it into words."

The baby was rushed to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham. Although she remains ill with a respiratory condition the child is said to be in a stable condition.

Modest Shane, who lives in Sholing, Southampton, said it was a team effort. But it is not the first time that he has been in this sort of situation.

About three to four years ago as a community responder he was called to a block of flats in Thornhill, Southampton, to give the kiss of life to a baby who was suffering from respiratory problems.

His actions have been praised by their bosses.

Andy Roughton, Head of Operations, Hampshire Division, South Central Ambulance Service, said: "This is a fantastic example of how the commitment, hard work and dedication of ambulance crews really does make a difference."