Early fatherhood for Alarm star

Mike Peters with his 'beautiful baby boy' Dylan

Mike Peters, lead singer of the Welsh rock band The Alarm, has spoken of his relief after his wife gave birth to their first son a month early.

Baby Dylan ap Michael Peters' arrival makes Peters a first time father at 45.

He was on tour in the US promoting the band's latest album when his wife Jules rang to say she was going into labour.

Doctors at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan managed to stabilise Jules condition and she eventually gave birth to the 5lb 8oz boy on 1 May.

Peters who rushed back on the first plane available to be with his wife in hospital, was finally able to take his new family back home to Llandudno on Saturday.

"We're so happy and relieved," he said.

Peters featured highly in a poll of Welsh heroes

"It's been a very worrying time and it wasn't easy for Jules, but we now have a beautiful baby boy.

"We owe a big thank you to all of the staff at the hospital, who have been absolutely brilliant."

It has been a good year so far for Peters - one of Wales' top figures in the music industry.

In February The Alarm celebrated a return to the singles charts after a 15 year absence with the hit 45RPM.

The ageing group substituted a teenager Chester rock band in the single's accompanying video - just to prove how much image affected sales.

In February too the star was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Welsh Music Awards.

And in March he came eleventh in a Welsh Assembly Government-backed online poll of the top Welsh heroes.

Later this month the band are releasing their latest single - aptly titled New Home New Life.

Mike Peters will also be appearing at next month's Glastonbury Festival and The Alarm's UK tour dates, cancelled because of the arrival of baby Dylan, have now been rescheduled for July.