ANDOVER baby Alex Nightingale made Christmas perfect for his parents Julie and Chris.

The Roman Way baby, due on 22 December, timed his dramatic appearance to an hour when most families are beginning to settle down to Christmas dinner.

"Alex was born at 12.24pm at Andover Birth Centre," Julie said.

He was welcomed into the world, weighing 7lbs 11oz, by Chris' mum Christine and big sister Holly, aged two, who is also a December baby.

Julie, aged 19, and Chris, also 19, say their family and friends suspected Alex might be a Christmas baby, but everyone was taken by surprise when Julie's labour pains began on Christmas Eve.

"He really is gorgeous and we couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present," Julie added.

Courtney Denyer waited 10 days so she could give mum Gemma and dad David a Christmas to remember.

With an original due date of 15 December, Gemma Moorhouse's 28-hour labour ended at 3.40pm on Christmas Day when baby Courtney made her grand entrance, weighing 6lbs 9oz. Gemma, aged 19, and her partner David Denyer, aged 39, of Cricketers Way, said it was worth missing Christmas Day at home.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.