A FAMILY celebrating the birth of their new born baby were given a shock when he weighed in over an incredible 12lbs.

Theo John James Brown was born at Blackburn Birthing Centre on Wednesday, September 6, to mother Paula Brown, who gave birth naturally as he tipped the scales at 12lb 41/2 oz.

Her husband Gareth Brown said staff told them it was the biggest baby they'd seen for around five years.

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Mr Brown, 32, said: "They said it was the biggest baby out of the last 4,500.

"Everybody is doing fine now, Theo is home and well.

"He's absolutely brilliant.

"Our youngest daughter Rose who's five especially just absolutely loves him."

Theo spent a short time at Burnley hospital recovering from an infection and jaundice before coming home to Moss Street in Great Harwood on Tuesday.

The family said they had been guessing what weight the baby would come in at, with two previous children weighing in at 9lb 3oz and 9lb 8oz respectively.

However Mr Brown said the guesses came in around the 10lb, and nobody was predicting the newborn would be the size he was.

Theo's 14-year-old step-sister Milly Mayor, who cut the cord for the birth, weighed just 6lb 11oz when she was born, a fraction of her baby brother's weight.

Mr Brown said: "We were all making guesses at what weight the baby would come in, but nobody was expecting that.

"The midwife cancelled her dentist appointment to make sure she was there for the birth, they hadn't seen anything like it.

"All of the staff at the birthing centre were absolutely fantastic with us, we can' thank them enough.

"Everyone at the Burnley hospital were great as well.

"It was strange, most of the babies there were tiny and Theo was huge."

The father said they chose the name Theo as it was one both the parents were a fan of.

Theo's two middle names were chosen to share his father's middle name and to pay tribute to Mrs Brown's dad.

Mother Mrs Brown, 33, said: "It was not pleasant and it was hard work and tiring.

"But the end result of it all is just fantastic."