As families gathered to feast on turkey and open their presents, nine babies were welcomed into the world at Kingston Hospital on Christmas Day.

Parents Steve Blake, 41 and Kathryn Beale, 42, were thrilled with the arrival of their firstborn Dylan James Blake just after 10pm.

The couple of Trent Way, Worcester Park, who have been together for 16 years, welcomed the youngster who came in at 7 lbs and 8 oz on Christmas Day.

Mr Blake, who works as a quantity surveyor, said: "He is gorgeous. I’m in shock – when we first thought he might come on Christmas day we thought 'oh no' but when we actually realised it was going to happen it was really special.

"We told the midwife she had to make sure the baby came before midnight. The staff here have been brilliant, all of them are beautiful people."

Despite baby Dylan expected in the New Year, the new parents had planned ahead with a Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, but this was interrupted when Miss Beale’s waters broke on the day.

She said: "We had to go to the hospital but we didn’t feel like we missed anything – they gave us all a Christmas dinner at the hospital.

"It’s taken a long time for me to fall pregnant so this baby is incredibly special and a joy. I am tired but over the moon. We are looking forward to being parents.”

The new mum said Dylan would be expected to be both an Arsenal football fan and a Welsh Rugby fan too – with plenty of mini t-shirts likely to be under the Christmas tree still at home.

She added they had previously chosen a number of names for boys and girls but settled on Dylan which incorporated her welsh heritage and Steve’s English heritage – and paid tribute to her late father, who was a great fan of Bob Dylan.

Anna Dellaway, head of midwifery at Kingston Hospital said: "Perhaps the recent bad weather been a factor at Kingston Hospital Maternity Unit, where we had a quieter than usual Christmas day, with nine babies being born – six girls and three boys.

"Every one of our mothers and babies were given a little present on Christmas day, generously funded by the Friends of Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust.

"We would like to wish all our mothers and babies a very Happy Christmas and our very best wishes for the New Year."