TINY bundles of joy were delivered at Poole Hospital on Christmas Day to bring nine local families the best festive present they could wish for – a healthy baby.

First to arrive on the big day, at 1.42am, was Benjamin David Sankey weighing in at 9lbs and 10oz.

He is the first child for Anthea and James Sankey of Sturminster Newton.

James said: “He’s a happy little boy and we are totally overjoyed. He’s also the first grandchild for both sides of the family so as you can imagine, everyone is delighted.”

A short time later in the early hours, Maja Redlich gave birth to son Oliver William, 9lb, 40z and just before 5am, son Nikodem was born to Malgorzata Cichocka. He was 10lb 20z.

The Taylor family of Creekmoor welcomed a new addition at 7.49am, daughter Hope. Mum is Joanne and dad Craig. The baby, who weighed 7lb and 15oz joins brothers Frankie and Beau and sister Ava.

Craig said: “We got home at 1pm and so we were still able to enjoy most of Christmas Day. Hope has settled in really well, she’s absolutely wonderful.”

And Florence Evie became the fourth little girl for Verity and Scott Craig, joining Georgia, Olivia and Keira. She weighed 6lb and 120z.

Little Imogen Grace Young-Smith became the fifth child to Heather Young and Harry Smith from Oakdale, entering the world a week later than her expected December 16 due date.

She weighed 8lb and 15oz.

Baby Sophia Martin-Papp gave mum Stephanie and dad Kelvin a bit of a shock arriving a week earlier than her expected date of New Years Eve. Stephanie said: “We were going to get Christmas Day out of the way but we didn’t manage to get all the way through it. Still at least I won’t be in hospital for the New Year.”

Sophia was born about 9.20pm weighing 7lb and 3oz.

And just in the nick of time was Ethan John Holder who was born just over a week late at 11.04pm at Poole Hospital.

He is the second child to mum Claire Solomon and Tom Holder from Wimborne.

Claire said: “People say that second time around babies arrive on time but that wasn’t the case here. I just could not sit still on Christmas Day.

“By 2pm we’d got the presents opened and by 2.30pm I was in here.”

Blandford parents Lorna and Andrew Farbridge welcomed Arthur Andrew Farbridge into the world at 4.59am at Dorset County Hospital on his due date, weighing 8lbs 3.5oz.

Music teacher Lorna, 35, said: “We’re delighted.”

She added: “We’re both teachers at Parkstone Grammar School and all the children have been excited for us.”