THERE were some extra special deliveries at the region's hospitals yesterday thanks to this year's Christmas Day births.At Ipswich Hospital Steven McGlachie and his partner Sandy Morey celebrated the birth of their first child at 2.

THERE were some extra special deliveries at the region's hospitals yesterday thanks to this year's Christmas Day births.

At Ipswich Hospital Steven McGlachie and his partner Sandy Morey celebrated the birth of their first child at 2.14am.

Archie, weighing 8lbs 4oz, was born on Brook ward and his proud mother declared he was the ''best Christmas present ever.''

Ms Morey, 26, is deputy manager at the Top Shop store in Debenhams, Ipswich, and Mr McGlachie is a farmworker on the Broxtead estate, where they live, in Sutton, near Woodbridge.

The last minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve had to be delegated to other members of the families after Ms Morey went into labour at 5am.

Two mothers at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds were given the best Christmas present they could have wished for.

Olivia Rose Haverty, whose parents Tracy and Stuart live in Brandon, was born at 7.15am, weighing 7lb 15oz. She is a sister to Bethany, four.

And Desiree Murrell and her husband Gary, from Coney Weston, became the proud parents of baby Hannah at 1.40am. She weighed 6lb 8oz.

Mrs Murrell, who said her baby was not due until January 1, thanked the staff who had helped her through the birth. "They have been fantastic, and I have had so much care and attention from everyone," she said.

In Colchester, tiny Callum Crosby was born at 9.05am to mum Holly.

Weighing 4lbs and 11oz, the tot was admitted to Colchester's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) where he is likely to stay for a few days.

Meanwhile delighted parents Lay Ching Yew and Felix Tsang, from Layer de la Haye, were celebrating the arrival of Hannah, who weighed in at 6lbs and 1oz.

Also celebrating a special Christmas delivery was Vladmira Cole, whose son Dominic arrived at 4.32am weighing 9lbs and 2oz.

“It's my first,” said Mrs Cole, whose husband Daniel serves in Seventh Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and recently returned from Afghanistan.

“I am very happy - he's healthy and that is what's important. He sleeps and sleeps - although before, he was very noisy,” she added.