FOURTEEN families got an extra special gift this Christmas when they welcomed new babies into the world.

The maternity unit of the Royal Bolton Hospital was bustling with new mums, proud dads and beautiful newborns.

Amy Sullivan took her parents by surprise when she was born in mum Hanna’s bedroom in their family home in Atherton on Christmas morning.

Hanna, aged 35, said she was getting ready to give her son Adam his presents at home in Sefton Avenue when she felt her waters break.

Before the ambulance had arrived, she had given birth to her little girl, weighing 7lbs 14oz, with the help of husband Paul.

She said: “It happened very quickly. I was only in labour about two hours.

“I just wanted to be at home while my little boy opened his presents.

“Now he’s got a new sister for Christmas too.”

First-time parents Zenub and Siddick Patel from Great Lever were not expecting to welcome Amminah into the world until January.

But the little girl could not wait and was born on Christmas Day on 11.22am.

Mum Zenub, aged 33, said: “I’m tired but very pleased.

“She is the first girl in the family. We already have four nephews but no nieces and she is the first granddaughter.”

Amy McCann was brought into the Royal Bolton in the early hours on Thursday, before she gave birth to Emily at 5.36pm on December 25.

The Harwood mum, who already has twin six-year-olds Thomas and Oliver with husband Jamie, said she was thrilled to have a little girl.

She added: “The boys got an little sister for Christmas this year.

“She is just the best Christmas present ever.”

Swinton mum Lita Gallery had been looking forward to putting her feet up on Christmas Day while husband Mark cooked the dinner.

Instead, she ended up giving birth to son George at the Royal Bolton Hospital at 4.53pm.

Lita, who also has a daughter Charlotte, aged 16, said: “George was due on Boxing Day, so I knew I might have to go in.

“I was looking forward to my Christmas dinner but instead I had two pieces of toast and a cup of tea — but it was great, it was all I needed!”

Of the 14 babies born, the first was delivered at 20 minutes past midnight on Christmas Day, while the last arrived at 11.20pm.

Royal Bolton Hospital midwife Claire Summers, whose son Cruz was born on Christmas Day two years ago, said 14 babies was not a particularly busy day for staff.

She said: “It is okay working Christmas.

“Nobody wants to be in hospital over Christmas, but it is a nice time of year because the mums are all so happy and the staff are all in good form.

“I have got a Christmas baby, and it is a memory you are always going to have because it is so special.”