A SAME sex couple who have just become parents are encouraging more people to look down the surrogacy route saying the experience was ‘magical.’

Conor Bonilla-Graham and Steven Darby, of Leigh Road, Hindley Green, are over the moon after the birth of their son George via their friend and surrogate Rebecca, on September 4 weighing 7lb 8oz.

The proud parents, who have been together for five years, want to share their story to encourage more couples to use surrogacy as an option in the UK.

Florist Steven, 23, said: “The whole experience was just magical and our lives felt complete once we finally got to hold our perfect baby in our arms.

“What Rebecca has done for us is incredible, she even congratulated us straight after giving birth, which was amazing after everything she had been through for us.

"She said she had always wanted to be a surrogate for someone she knew and has been supportive of us throughout.

“We cannot express how grateful we are to her for helping us make our family.

“All you hear about is surrogacy in the US, so we were unsure of the process in the UK.

“We did not know any same sex couples from the UK who had been through this apart from Elton John, so we want to encourage others in our situation to go down this route as well because it was incredible.”

Their surrogate Rebecca, who has two children of her own and did not want to reveal her surname, said: “Being a surrogate is one of the best things I have ever done, besides having my children.

“Helping two people who really wanted to have a baby to have their dream family felt like a real achievement for me and I am proud of myself.

“I would encourage anyone out there who feels like this is something they could do to just go ahead with it, it has been a rewarding experience for me and it has taught my children that it is good to help others.”

Financial company manager Conor, 22, added: “It was a difficult and stressful process, with getting an egg donor, then finding a surrogate and going through a lot the legal work, but to finally have George makes it all worth it.

“It was very emotional and until we held him because we did not quite believe how lucky we were but we are so happy to have lovely George in our lives.

“We cannot thank Rebecca enough.”