A total of eight babies came into the world at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Thursday, as the rest of the town was busy ripping open presents and tucking into roast dinners.

For one new set of parents the early arrival of their first son was a true surprise with mum Emily’s waters breaking just before sitting down for a family festive feast in Caversham.

Husband Matt Malone said: “We were just about to sit down when Emily thought her waters might have broken. We weren’t sure so we called the hospital and they said not to worry or rush. They told us to have Christmas dinner and then come in.

“Earlier that morning her brother James proposed to his girlfriend which was obviously the big news for about an hour until Emily stole the show.”

As the party moved on to an aunt and uncle’s in Pangbourne the contractions got closer and closer and the Malones realised their Christmas delivery could not wait any longer.

After rushing to the hospital the birth happened “in a whirlwind time” and their boy arrived before dad even had time to unpack the overnight bag they had carefully prepared.

At 8.14pm and at only 5lbs 4oz little Leo Carlin Malone met his parents for the first time, three-and-a-half weeks earlier than expected.

The pair of teachers from Epsom are overjoyed at how quickly and easily everything happened and while nurses keep a watch on Leo’s first few days the family have already visited for a cuddle.

Matt said: “Being born on Christmas means he won’t quite get his own birthday but the family will always remember this day. All of our little cousins were so excited when they thought the baby would be born right there in the house.”