Mum Victoria Unwin received a very special gift on Christmas Day – a baby boy who arrived five days early.

Jenson Rimmington, the first of 21 Christmas Day babies at Bradford Royal Infirmary, was born in the early hours of Saturday, despite being due on Thursday, December 30.

Miss Unwin, 21, of Holme Wood, Bradford, said she was thrilled to have given birth on Christmas Day. She said: “It’s brilliant, the best Christmas present ever.”

First-time mum Rachel Smith, 23, of Fairbank, Shipley, said she was delighted Harry was born on Christmas Day. He weighed 8lb 2oz.

His dad, James Smith, 26, said: “It didn’t feel like Christmas Day.

“Maybe in the future we can split the day in half – half a day for Christmas and half for his birthday.

“Or maybe we could have a special day out in the middle of the year.”

Rachel Clapham, 33, of Sunbridge Road, Bradford, gave birth to daughter Betsy at 10.46pm on Christmas Day.

Mrs Clapham said: “I was aiming for Christmas Day – the 26th doesn’t have the same ring to it!”

Betsy, who weighed 7lb 12oz, was due on Wednesday, December 15, but waited ten days to be born at Christmas. Her mum said: “Maybe she can share the Queen’s birthday as well!”

Meanwhile, Airedale Hospital at Steeton, near Keighley, dealt with five Christmas Day babies.

Danielle Tennent, 25, of Settle, gave birth to Ethan at home as she was about to make her way to the hospital. Ethan was born at 10.40pm on Christmas Day, weighing 8lb 3oz.

His mum said: “He was due on Boxing Day – I was coming in to have him when I started.

“It was strange having my Christmas dinner with contractions.”

Yesterday Ethan’s older brother Brandon, eight, and dad David Burton were both at the hospital to take mother and child home.