Just 35 minutes into Christmas Day and Rory was born, giving first-time mum Laura Nicola the best Christmas present.

A teacher in Pitsea, Mrs Nicola, 30, said her students had warned her she might give birth on Christmas Day and, true to form, Rory arrived two weeks early at Basildon Hospital, weighing in at five pounds.

Mrs Nicola, who lives in Stenning Avenue, Linford, with husband Marcus, said: "When I went into labour I thought No, it's too early!' "I didn't really want it to be for Christmas but we had a really nice day.

"It has been the strangest Christmas Day, but really lovely and I'll definitely always remember it!"

Also born on Christmas Day was Tommy John Buck - meaning he shares the special birthday with his grandfather.

Mum Zoe, 24, of South Crockerford, Vange, was a week overdue when she gave birth to her eight pound son at 8.46am on Christmas morning.

She said: "He waited for his grandad's birthday - it was very special.

"He said it's the best birthday present he's ever had."

Paul Rumsby says he got the perfect Christmas present when his daughter Tiffany came into the world on December 25.

Gazing adoringly at his only child and girlfriend Sherryl Andrews, 30, he said: "She's the best Christmas present ever."

Miss Andrews, of Benfleet Road, Hadleigh, gave birth to Tiffany by caesarean section at Southend Hospital, at 11.20am on Christmas Day, with the little one weighing in at 7lbs 11oz.

What a Christmas present! Little Jaden came into the world at 1.35am on December 25, weighing 8lbs 1oz, as an early present for mum Keely Brooks, 22 and dad Chris Hook, 22.

He wasn't due until December 30, but his two-year-old sister got a special present when her little brother decided to make an early appearance.

Mr Hook said: "December is going to be a very expensive month in the future!"

Miss Brooks, who lives in Hartford Close, Rayleigh, said: "I was trying to get him out on Christmas Eve, but he wasn't having any of it."