MEET the babies born over the festive period in East Lancashire.

While many people tucked into their turkey and unwrapped presents, busy midwives brought newborn babies into the world.

A bumper crop of 29 babies greeted the world at Blackburn Birthing Centre and East Lancashire’s women and newborn’s centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.

The adorable babies were born over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day morning, with eight babies delivered on December 25 itself.

One Christmas Day baby, named Layla Zand, by parents Gemma and Nick, from Blackburn, arrived at 9.43am.

Delivered weighing 7lb 4oz, she will join a little brother and her parents at the family home.

Her delighted mum said: “It was a bit of a whirlwind day.

“I was in labour for about two hours and was about one week overdue but the pregnancy was fine.

“I had the birth at the unit at Burnley and we were back home at about 4pm for Christmas dinner.

"We came back to the birthing centre at Blackburn on Boxing Day morning just for a check-up.

“Having a baby at any time of the year is nice but having it on Christmas Day does make it that bit more special and unique.”

Riley Mack, born to 21-year-old Shannon Billington, from Oswaldtwistle, and Aiden Mack, 24, arrived at 7.31am on Boxing Day.

He is the couple’s first child, weighing 7lb 15oz, and was born at Blackburn Birthing Centre.

Shannon said: “We were hoping it was a Christmas Day baby but it’s still nice to have Riley on Boxing Day. It’s a brilliant feeling. We are overjoyed and over the moon.”

Rasha Alsaqal, 32, from Blackburn, just missed out on a Christmas Day baby, after giving birth to Hala El-Naes at 12.55am on Boxing Day.

Hala was delivered at Blackburn Birthing Centre weighing 7lb 12oz, nine days late.

Mum Rasha said: “It would have been special to have a Christmas Day baby, but I’m still absolutely delighted.

“Hala will join sister Roa El-Naes and brother Hamed El-Naes.

Gill Brandon, a midwife at Blackburn Birthing Centre, said: “It’s been really busy this year and probably even busier than last year.

“I really enjoy my job as a midwife and feel so privileged to work in such a profession.”