Santa babies are an extra special gift for Norfolk’s newest parents on Christmas Day

For most, Christmas Day has always been a day of celebration.

And for a handful of couples around the county it became an extra special occasion as they welcomed their new arrivals into the world.

The best Christmas present ever, are the words new parents Jayne and Russell Thynne used to describe the birth of their first child.

Poppy was born at 6.56am at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and weighed 8lb 6oz.

Mrs Thynne, 36, said: 'She was supposed to be born on December 17 and were still waiting and waiting. I thought she could be born on Christmas Eve but then she ended up coming on the big day itself.

'We did not know if she was going to be a boy or a girl so it was a surprise for us. She has been so relaxed since she was born.'

The couple, who live in Gorleston, were visited by excited family members who live in the area too.

Mr Thynne, 34, said: 'We have wanted a baby for some time so we are just over the moon now.

'Hospitals often get bad publicity but the staff here have been nothing but great for us. We could not have asked for more.'

Poppy is Mr Thynne's parent's first grandchild and on Mrs Thynne's side she will join cousins Amelia, 5, and Jared, 2, as one of the youngsters in the family.

Yesterday, at just past midnight, Georgina Irwin gave birth to her second child Harry at the new midwife-led birthing unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Ms Irwin, who also has a 14-month old girl called Evie, welcomed the new arrival at the Waterlily Birth Centre with her partner Dean Buckingham.

Ms Irwin, who was expected to deliver today, on Boxing Day, said: 'It was a complete surprise, last time I was in hospital for a few days. This was a completely different experience to be out so quickly. We did have a normal Christmas planned, we expected him to be late, we didn't expect him to be early.'

The new mother, of Clenchwarton near King's Lynn, said she was sent home from hospital at 9pm on Christmas Eve but was back at 11pm after her labour progressed and her baby boy was delivered at 12.21am.

No stranger to a December birthday, new mum Hollie Sulter, who marks her 27th birthday tomorrow (Sunday) celebrated the birth of her first child, Poppy Emilia.

The self-employed beautician, of Bush Road, Hellesdon, spent five days in labour before delivering Poppy via emergency caesarean section, at 7.56am weighing 6lbs 11oz.

Partner Simon Ikins, 37, owner of Holt Road Garage in Horsford, said: 'It felt really weird to have Poppy born on Christmas Day as you don't expect to do something like that.'

Poppy is a much-welcomed little sister for brothers Max, 3, and Joseph, 9.

Couple Leon and Shelley Alderton, both aged 26, of Sloley in north Norfolk, have been together six and a half years and yesterday welcomed their first baby together. Rowan Anthony was born at 3.38am and weighed 7lbs 5oz.

Mrs Alderton said: 'Everyone said he was going to come on Christmas Day but I didn't believe them. We are really excited to be taking him home.'

And finally Megan Purdy, 21, and Daniel Whittaker-Wright, 25, of North Walsham, saw the arrival of Noah Davey, who was born at 12.33am weighing 9lbs 2oz.

Mr Whittaker-Wright said: 'We had been waiting for this day for nine months and although it's been a life-changing experience for us, it has been a wonderful experience too.'