Cirrus, a 24-year-old Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, gave birth to the calf yesterday morning at the Dolphin Quest centre on the Southampton Princess Hotel property.

And, following the birth, both mother and baby were said to be doing "very well''.

It is the first time that Cirrus has successfully given birth. Although she has been pregnant twice before while at another sanctuary. Both pregnancies resulted in still births.

Last night Dolphin Quest's director of animal management Dave Grossman said: "Cirrus gave birth to a healthy dolphin calf this morning.

"Cirrus and the calf are doing very well and will be monitored closely for the next few days.

"Bermuda and the Southampton Princess provide a wonderful habitat that enables the dolphins to interact in a natural environment.

"We would like to thank the community and volunteers for all their wonderful support and the effort that they put in to help keep our dolphins happy.'' Although the facility closed its doors during yesterday's delivery, the calf will be on display to visitors when Dolphin Quest opens again today.

The new addition brings the total number of dolphins at the centre to nine, including three males and five females.

The sex of the latest arrival will not be known until handlers can get a closer look at the calf -- something its mother is not allowing at the moment.

And Dolphin Quest organisers plan to get help from the public when they eventually get around to deciding a name for the baby dolphin.