These new mums were celebrating the best Christmas present ever today as they welcomed their new arrivals to the world.

Little James Brian Colley arrived at 3.23am – the first baby of Christmas Day born at Airedale Hospital near Keighley.

Delighted, but exhausted, new mum Lucy Willan said she hoped to take her 7lb 5oz son home this afternoon.

The 32-year-old went into labour at her Skipton home at around 9pm on Christmas Eve when partner Matthew Colley, 28, took her into hospital.

“He’s gone home for a rest now,” she said this morning.

Miss Willan, who works for the Skipton Building Society with Mr Colley, said being a mum felt a little surreal.

“It’s strange, very strange, but nice. He’s just lovely. He’s opened his eyes a little bit,” she said, adding that she had slept for just about half-an-hour after the birth.

Miss Willan had planned to have lunch with Mr Colley’s parents today, as James was due on Boxing Day, but she said she thought she would be forgiven for having to cancel.

“I was surprised that he arrived when he did. I thought he’d be really late,” she said.

“He’s definitely the best Christmas present – a bit of a different one!”

Earlier, at 1.50am, Nikola Polakova gave birth to Krystian at Bradford Royal Infirmary after a labour which lasted less than three hours.

The 7lb boy is the 20-year-old’s second son and will be a little brother to Philip, two.

Krystian arrived a week early, taking his parents by surprise – father Jan Dyro, 32, missed the birth because he was in the Czech Republic and was due back next week, but is now returning to Bradford early to look after mother and baby at their home in East Bowling.

Miss Polakova said it was tradition in her home country to celebrate Christmas on December 24.

“But on the 24th and 25th, it’s still Christmas so it’s like the best present ever,” she said.

“I’m a bit tired, but very happy.”