A MUM-OF-FIVE from East Bowling has expressed her pride after hearing her four-month-old baby say his own name.

Artist Joanna Cole was playing with baby Eric in the living room when he started saying the word 'egg'.

A couple of days later Joanne was surprised to hear Eric responding to her.

Joanne told the Telegraph & Argus: "I said 'What's your name?' and he went, 'Eric'.

"He's been saying it for the last three weeks.

"With it being my fifth child, I noticed. It's amazing.

"There's never been any development this early.

"I'm very proud. I just think it's really clever.

"That's something kids don't really learn to say until they're older."

Baby Eric has had a "tough little life" following a difficult birth and being rushed into hospital over concerns about his weight.

But now Joanne, who looks after Eric with her partner Sean Colhoun, says he is as bright as a button.

She said: "He's really cute.

"He's said it even clearer."