MIDWIVES at East Lancashire's birthing centres had their hands full with 20 new arrivals on Christmas Day.

A total of 13 were born in the birth suite at Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre in Burnley, four women gave birth at Blackburn Birthing Centre and three babies were delivered at Burnley Birthing Centre.

The first arrived just after midnight on Christmas day at 12.12am and the last baby born was at 21.11pm.

First time mum Anna Kolodia, 29, from Blackburn, described her 6lb 6oz baby boy Julian, who was born at 1.49am, as a ‘miracle’.

Anna said: “He was due on December 22. It is a miracle. I am religious so for him to be born on Jesus’ birthday is very important to me.

“I am happy, me and my husband couldn’t wait to see him and we’re are both glad he is here.

“ We will celebrate Christmas when we go home.”

Asma Saeed, 29, from Blackburn, gave birth to her second daughter in Burnley. She weighed 6lb and 9oz.

Asma said: “Me and my husband are very happy. She was due on January 7 but she came early. We don’t have any names yet but I am thinking about calling her Aizah.”

Burnley lead midwife Colette Gregory said: “We were very busy. We had 13 babies here, three at Burnley Birthing Centre and four in Blackburn birth centre.

“There is quite a good atmosphere here on Christmas Day and we make it as good as possible over Christmas.

"The midwives are always vying for who will deliver the first Christmas Day baby.”