A new mum had a very special early present when her baby boy was born on Christmas Eve.

T'was 8.04pm on the night before Christmas when delighted Lauren Holden, 21, gave birth to Logan Phoenix Noel Flint at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

Little Logan, who weighed 7lbs 7 ounces, was actually due the day before but first-time mum Miss Holden had not expected her bundle of joy to arrive in time for Christmas.

She said: "It was a complete shock. Although I was due on December 23, I kept thinking 'it's not going to happen'.

"I thought he'd come in January but then I dropped on Christmas Eve.

"The whole family are so happy that he was here for Christmas."

And although one of the baby's middle names 'Noel' has obvious Christmas connotations Miss Holden and partner Gary Flint, 38, had to reach a compromise when it came to picking the youngster's other names.

Miss Holden said: "I've always liked the name Logan and thought it was cool, but Gary wanted to call him Phoenix.

"We both knew we didn't want a traditional name – I've got relatives called Popeye and Elvis so we're used to unusual names in my family."

After spending Christmas Day in hospital, Logan and his mother were able to return to their home in Colman Way on Boxing Day – when the whole family celebrated with a belated festive feast.

Miss Holden said: "We had our Christmas dinner when we got home and it was so nice to be together as a family. But it was actually quite nice being in the maternity ward on Christmas Day – everyone was so happy and it was nice to be with the other new mothers."

Miss Holden said her young son was a very good baby but her colleagues at Sainsbury's in Redhill would have to wait to be introduced to the little boy because of the chilly weather.

She said: "They are all desperate to see him but it's been so cold. I think he'll be staying at home where it's nice and warm for a while."

Proud dad Mr Flint, who works with adults with learning difficulties, said Logan was the best Christmas present he could ever have hoped for.

He said: "We're both tired but very happy, I'm the happiest I've ever been so I'm smiling through the tiredness. I'm overjoyed."