DAVID AND SAMANTHA CAMERON have been given a holiday surprise with the early arrival of their fourth child.

The new arrival – a girl – was born by caesarian section at the Royal Cornwall Hospital where the couple were on holiday during the parliamentary recess.

“The Prime Minister and Mrs Cameron are delighted to announce the birth of their fourth child, a baby girl,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

“Both the baby – who was born weighing 6lb 1oz – and Mrs Cameron are doing very well.

“The PM and Mrs Cameron would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their help and kindness.”

Samantha’s pregnancy had been announced in late March, six weeks ahead of the UK’s general election which saw her husband’s Conservatives go into coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

The Camerons’ eldest child, Ivan, died last year of Ohtahara syndrome, a rare combination of epilepsy and cerebral palsy, aged six. They have two other children, Nancy (6) and Arthur Elwen (4).

Cameron follows Cherie Blair, wife of former PM Tony, in giving birth while living in Downing Street. She and Tony welcomed the arrival of baby Leo in May 2000. He was the first (legitimate) child born to a sitting PM for over 150 years.

Sarah Brown, the wife of the last prime minister Gordon, also gave birth while living in Number 10 – she and Gordon lived in the traditional Prime Minister’s residence while the Blairs – with a family of four – lived in the larger apartment at Number 11.