The chancellor is set to become a father again, it has been revealed.

A spokesman said Sarah and Gordon Brown are expecting a baby in October.

"This is clearly good and welcome news and Sarah is fit and well," said the spokesman. "Mr and Mrs Brown will not be issuing any further statement."

A spokesman for the prime minister said: "We are delighted at this news and wish Gordon and Sarah the very best of luck."

The news comes a year after the Browns lost their first child just 10 days after she was born.

The baby, named Jennifer Jane, died after being born seven weeks prematurely.

She died of a brain haemorrhage in Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary.

Fifty-two-year-old Brown married Sarah Macaulay, 38, at a small surprise wedding at his constituency home in 2000.