A NEWLYWED couple are celebrating having a baby on Christmas Day just two weeks after getting married.

Laszlo Pek and Alina Pek, from Blackburn, tied the knot on December 7, a little over a fortnight before their baby Maria Pek was born.

Little Maria is one of seven babies born in East Lancashire at the Central Birth Suite at Burnley General Hospital this Christmas Day.

Her delighted mum Alina, 36, originally from Poland, who lives with her husband Laszlo, 38 originally from Hungary, said: “It’s special to have a Christmas Day baby and we’re really excited.”

And Alina gave birth to Maria shortly after 6am.

Delivered weighing 7lb 3oz, Maria has an older sister and brother.

Alina, of Higher Bank, said: “We were told Maria was the second baby to be born at Burnley.

“Where myself and Laszlo come from, we have a Christmas Day meal and open presents on Christmas Eve, so we’ve still enjoyed all that.

“I was told I had to have a caesarean section as I’ve had some health problems but the birth has been okay.”

It caps a memorable two weeks for the couple who married at Blackburn Town Hall .

Alina added: “It’s been stressful but it has been a great two weeks for us.”

Sharing a birthday with Maria is Harry George, who was born at 3.38pm to 19-year-old Emma Fletcher, and David Woods, 25.

He will join a little sister, Amelia Woods, three, and his parents at the family home in St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood.

Harry was delivered weighing 5lb 6oz.

David said: “We’ve not processed what’s happened yet and are just shocked that Harry George is a Christmas Day baby.

“You read it in the news and don’t expect it to happen to you.”

Donna Heys, a healthcare assistant at the birth suite, said: “It’s not been very busy this year and is below the average for the day.

“Two years ago, 25 babies were born across East Lancashire on Christmas Day.”

Blackburn Birthing Centre had no Christmas Day babies.