A former British champion ice skater who collapsed and died from a brain haemorrhage gave birth to a baby girl two days later. Jayne Soliman, 41, was declared brain-dead at Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital but doctors managed to keep her heart beating long enough to deliver Aya Jayne by caesarean section.

Doctors said she had suffered a brain haemorrhage caused by an aggressive tumour which had struck a major blood vessel. She was given large doses of steroids to help the child's lungs develop and within 48 hours gave birth to the baby, who weighed 0.95kg (2lb 1.5oz). Her husband, Mahmoud, was with her when the child was born.

In 1989, Ms Soliman was British champion and No 7 in the world for professional free skating. She also spent some time in Dubai, where she taught figure skating and met Mahmoud. On returning to England two years ago, the newly married couple set up home in Bracknell and Jayne began working for the Bracknell Ice Skating Club.