MEET little Olivia Brown – the first baby to be born in Basingstoke and Deane on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day had only just dawned when Olivia was born at 1.31am, weighing a healthy 6lbs 11oz.

Proud parents Kelly Timmins, 21, and Richard Brown, 22, both from South Ham, Basingstoke, said they were delighted their daughter was the first born on the special day.

And Kelly said she was happy that baby Olivia was following in a family tradition as her late grandmother Ann Sharman was also born on December 25.

Olivia was due to be born on December 19, but Kelly said her family knew that Olivia would wait until Christmas.

“As soon as my mum found out that she was coming on the 19th, she knew straight away that it would end up being Christmas,” said Kelly. “She kept saying: ‘Your nan is going to make it happen at Christmas’.”

The couple said they were delighted by all the fuss from staff at Basingstoke hospital. Midwives at the Aldermaston Road hospital’s maternity unit created a special Christmas cot, and dressed up in fancy dress on the day.

Olivia was showered with gifts which included a hand-knitted doll and hat made by members of the Basingstoke Women’s Institute, and a blanket given by the family of the first baby born on Christmas Day last year.

Dad Richard, a window fitter’s mate, said he will ensure that his daughter’s birthday will not be forgotten in Christmases to come. He said they will celebrate her birthday alongside Kelly’s in July.

“We will celebrate both Christmas and Olivia’s birthday but we will also give her a summer birthday party with Kelly – she’ll be a real princess with two birthdays a year.”

The couple also paid tribute to hospital staff working over Christmas, and singled out midwives Catherine McIntyre and Katy Wilson who looked after them on the day.

Kelly said: “I really would like to thank all the midwives and staff for being so nice and caring.”

Midwife Louise Freemantle added that staff enjoyed going the extra mile to make Christmas extra special.

She said: “It makes the parents feel special and it’s nice for us as well.”