IT MIGHT be something in the beer or even the vodka but strange things are going on at one of Ipswich’s historic pubs.

Within the space of just a few months there has been a baby boom at The Black Horse in Black Horse Lane.

Three babies have been born already this year and two more are on the way, sparking rumours that the pub is serving some sort of fertility potion alongside the more traditional drinks.

Landlady and surrogate grandmother to them all Donna Birch has been running the family friendly 16th Century pub with husband Gary for the last three years.

The 47-year-old said: “So far three of our regulars have had babies and we’ve got two more on the way – one anytime now and one in February. We will have had five babies in the space of a year.

“It’s lovely for the girls.”

Ashlea Seaman, 25, was the first to switch from her favourite tipple – spiced rum – to the more sober orange juice when she fell pregnant.

She said: “We all know each other and we’ve all be having babies at the same time. I thought it was great that I wasn’t the only one.”

On April 5 Ashlea, of Kemble Street, Ipswich, gave birth to bouncing baby Cicilee who weighed 9lb 8oz.

Cicilee was quickly followed by 7lb Zakk Quilter who was born on April 23.

Mum Sue, whose favourite tipple is vodka, said: “This is our local pub and we enjoy the music and the friendly atmosphere. It’s a home from home.

“We were trying for four years to have a baby so when we found out we were all pregnant together we were delighted. It is a little bizarre though.”

Baby Joe Wales, was born to proud parents Emma Morley, 27, and Ricky Wales, 30, on June 7 and tipped the scales at 7lb 11oz. But Joe was unable to join his new playmates at the bar due to a case of suspected chicken pox.

Regular Gaynor Marsh is due to have her baby any day now and regular Karen Minns is expecting in February.

Donna added: “There’s a lot of bad news in the world but this has really brightened our lives.”