Beautiful babies were welcomed into the world across the North East on Christmas Day.
Proud parents received the perfect gift when they met their new bundle of joy on December 25.
There were extra special deliveries at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland, and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
Little Hallie Houston was born in the Birthing Centre at Northumbria at 11.40am, weighing eight pounds 10 ounces.
Her parents Erin Scantlebury, 23, and Ben Houston, 26, from Bedlington, Northumberland, said their due date was December 16. They went into the hospital at 2pm on Christmas Eve so Erin could be induced.
Ben, who works as a mechanic, said: "It's amazing. We both love Christmas so there's no better present. It's been the best Christmas Day I've ever had.
"I have said from day one I thought it was going to be Christmas Day and sure enough it was. It's going to be a huge double celebration.
"We didn't know what we were having so it's come as a massive surprise. She was due on the 16th so she was quite far over.
"They are both doing really, really well. Everyone is doing fine and you can't ask for more really. We're still in hospital. We've got to stay over tonight and are being let out tomorrow."
Erin added: "I'm absolutely over the moon. We were a bit worried about her birthday (being on Christmas Day) but it makes it all the more special and exciting."
Rachel White, 21, and Kieran Maddocks, 25, welcomed their baby boy George Robert Maddocks into the world at the same hospital. Their son was born at 12.40am and weighed 8lb, seven-and-a-half ounces.
The couple, who live in Shiremoor, North Tyneside, were due to have their baby on December 27. George arrived two days early following a six hour labour.
Kieran said: "George is perfectly fine and I'm ecstatic. I couldn't wish for a better Christmas present, there would be nothing better. It's absolutely made my year.
"Rachel managed really well. It was emotional but it was exhilarating at the same time. I balled my eyes out when I first saw him. Rachel also teared up, she was happy to get cuddles.
"The hospital was absolutely outstanding. The midwives were absolutely fantastic. We were in and out of hospital in less than 24 hours."
Charlotte Roberts, 35, and Carl Johnson, 37, were another couple who welcomed a baby boy at Northumbria. Oliver George Johnson was born at 16.05 and weighed 8lb, one ounce.
It was the couple's second child that has been delivered at Northumbria after the birth of their son William, who is two-and-a-half. The family returned home just before midday on Boxing Day, with William getting to open the presents that he unexpectedly missed out on on Sunday.
Dad Carl said: "We're tired but very happy, over the moon. We're having Christmas day today because we didn't get a chance - William was still in bed when we left for the hospital at 7am yesterday!
"He's been saying baby brother and giving him cuddles and kisses since we brought him home. He's quite protective to be honest!"
"The birth went quite smoothly, there were no issues or complications and we were home after one night. The hospital was great, both times the midwives have been amazing and we've had great care and support - we cannot fault them one bit."
At the RVI, Taylor Stuart, 22, and her partner Ethan Black, 22, from Slatyford, Newcastle, welcomed their first baby Preston Stuart-Black. Taylor arrived at the hospital on Christmas Eve and gave birth to their little boy at 6.46pm on December 25.
Taylor said: "I wasn't expecting it, I wasn't due until the 7th January but I had to be induced so he's come early on a special day. I've never felt anything like it before, it's a different kind of love. We're over the moon. I have never saw Ethan's eyes light up so much."
Rebecca Hodgson, from Ponteland, Northumberland, gave birth to a second daughter at the RVI on Christmas Day. The 30-year-old, who works as an administrator, is already mum to seven-year-old Bella Hodgson.
Her baby girl, who is yet to named, weighed seven pounds and six ounces. The mum-of-two went into the hospital on Christmas Eve and gave birth at 9.57am the following morning.
She said: "I think giving birth on Christmas Day is magical. I'm over the moon.
"My due date was Christmas Eve. I knew that with her being due on Christmas Eve that they would definitely come on Christmas Day."
Just missing out on a Christmas Day birth was Marwa Almadani. Her parents Latifa Mahmood Ali and Mazin Almadani welcomed her at 7.30am on Boxing Day morning.
It is the couple's first child and new dad Mazin said: "We are feeling over the moon, we're very happy. Our new baby makes us so happy - my first child, Marwa."
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