IT was truly a Christmas Day to remember for the two Bury families who welcomed their newest members amid seasonal celebrations.

The first festive baby to arrive at Fairfield Hospital's new maternity ward on Tuesday was Holly May Birtwistle, born at 9.44am.

Mum Nicola Harvey (20) had been brought from home by ambulance in the early hours of the morning, when her eight-hour stint in labour began.

Nicola and partner Craig (21), of Horridge Street, Bury, were "thrilled to bits" with their Christmas bundle, who weighed a healthy 6 ib 13 oz.

She said: "I kept wondering whether she would be born on Christmas Day and was really pleased that she was.

"It will make Christmas special in the future and is the best present we have ever had."

Nicola added: "The staff were all really nice and helpful."

Later at 9.50pm, a Christmas Day present was delivered for Naveed Mohammed and wife Fazia, of Prescot Close, Bury. The couple have yet to decide upon a name for the baby girl, who weighed 5lb 6 oz. She is their first child.