It was a bumper day of births at Queen’s Hospital this Christmas – with 22 little ones making their entrance.

The first was baby Jaxon Stokes who was born at 12.15am. Mum Claire, 27, had expected to be home for Christmas after coming into hospital on Thursday 21 December to be induced, however, Jaxon had other ideas and made his appearance just minutes into Christmas Day.

The family, including dad Steve Hall, 34, and big sister Billie, 18 months, took Jaxon home on Boxing Day.

Poor Claire, of Warley, has been feeling under the weather since the birth and has still not had her Christmas dinner, but said it was lovely to have Jaxon as the first baby born on Christmas Day.

Another early arrival on Christmas morning was Ivie Blu Foster, born just before 6.20am.

Mum Cydney Parker, 19, had spent all of Christmas Eve in labour and was shocked to welcome her daughter on Christmas morning, as she was due on 27 December.

Ivie Blu is the first child for Cydney and partner Jake Foster, also 19. They took their little one home just 12 hours later and were able to enjoy Christmas dinner with Cydney’s mum and stepdad at home in Theydon Gardens, Rainham.