The first baby of Christmas in North Cumbria was brought into this world not long after midnight.

Rose Rogers was the first baby born on Christmas Day this year at the Cumberland infirmary in Carlisle, at 12.51am.

Parent’s Lydia Leith and Matt Rogers might have their work cut out in having to buy a birthday and Christmas gift on the same day every year from now on, but Lydia said that having a baby on Christmas Day was the best gift they could have had.

“Having a baby on Christmas Day is the best present we could of wished for,” she said.

“And it was made possible by the midwives, doctors and all of the staff on the labour ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, who were second to none, very caring, reassuring and going the extra mile.”

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) have thanked members of the public for their support this Christmas after what has been a very challenging year in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges, it has not stopped staff from making a huge effort to get their colleagues, patients and their families in the Christmas spirit.

Ward Clerk on Elm A in the Cumberland Infirmary, Mandy Dixon, who is one of many staff members recognised for their brilliance this year said: “We set ourselves ambitious goals to achieve the best for our patients, our teams, our organisations and our partners.”

For more information on NCIC and their services, visit www.ncic.nhs.uk