A FAMILY have been given a double serving of festive joy following the arrival of twins on Christmas Day - five weeks earlier than expected.

Mum Caroline Finney is now preparing for an eventful time next year when she will have to contend with shopping for birthday and Christmas presents for babies Lily and Ruby Birtwistle, along with extra gifts for their older brother Joe, six, so that he doesn't feel left out.

Caroline, 25, said: "I think we may have to have an honorary birthday in the middle of the year, a bit like the Queen, so that it won't be so hectic on Christmas Day!"

Lily arrived at 7.39am and weighed 4lb 14oz, while Ruby was born 10 minutes later and weighed 5lb 14oz.

Caroline, from Beaconsfield Street, Great Harwood, added: "Lily has got more delicate features and Ruby has lighter hair, but they have both got their dad Graham's ears."

Other Christmas deliveries included baby Ellie Grace Hallam, who had kept mum Deborah waiting for 15 days. She eventually arrived at 2.50am, weighing 9lb 5oz. She is the first baby for mum Deborah, 33, and dad David, who live on Moorland Road, Langho.

Deborah said: "I think she deliberately stayed in so long so that she could make a dramatic entrance.

"Either that or she just wants more Christmas presents when she's older. We are just really happy that she's finally here."

Baby Shaik was an unexpected Christmas present for mum Tasneem, dad Essa and two-year-old sister Sanaa, as she was due on New Year's Eve.

However, she was born at 4.22am on December 25, weighing 6lb 6oz.

The family were due to return to their Malham Gardens home in Blackburn yesterday.

All the babies who were on the maternity ward at Royal Blackburn Hospital on December 25 were given a baby suit, vest and pair of socks by the nurses as a Christmas present.

l Other mothers who gave birth on December 25 included Sarah Clough, of Willows Park, Oswaldtwistle, who welcomed baby Samuel, 6lb 1oz, into the family at 3.40am and Anna Brookfield, of Haldene Road, Darwen, who saw baby Emilie, 8lb 10oz, arrive at 4.30am.