TWELVE babies were brought into the world on Christmas Day at Musgrove Park hospital.

The staff on the maternity unit at the Taunton hospital helped to bring the new bundles of joy to families across the county.

The first baby born was Jaxon Summerbee at 7.16am. Thrilled parents Tracy Bourne, 45, and Mark Summerbee were expecting their baby boy to arrive by induction on December 23, but Jaxon had other ideas.

The pair, who are publicans at The Swan at Kingston, said the Christmas spirit contained at the pub as it remained open while Tracy was giving birth.

Tracy says Jaxon has five older siblings to spoil him with presents.

Miss Bourne said: “The staff at the pub stayed open, but I wasn’t there.

“This has delayed our celebrations a bit – but we have the best present in the world.

“He’s got lots of older siblings, so he best be getting lots of presents. We think we will give him a second designated birthday, like royalty.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Tracy Bourne with new baby Jaxon Summerbee and his teddy bear from the mayor 

Jaxon was given a teddy bear and a certificate from the Mayor of Taunton, Catherine Herbert, for being the first baby born at the hospital on Christmas Day.

At around 5pm, Harley Arthur Royce was born. New mum, 21-year-old Chloe Royce from Wells, was thrilled to have her baby arrive, but said it didn’t feel like Christmas Day.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Harley Arthur Royce 

“My family can’t believe it,” she said.

“It didn’t feel like Christmas, we’ve delayed our celebrations. I was hoping he would be early or late, so he could have his own birthday.

“I can’t stop staring at him, he’s just so perfect.”

Later in the evening, Emma Wright arrived at the hospital from her home in Bridgwater. Emma and her family got through a normal Christmas Day, thinking there was two weeks to go until the baby arrived.

Just 15 minutes after her she got to the hospital, baby Christopher Miller was born, who was given the same name as his father.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Christopher Miller

Emma said: “He wasn’t due for another two weeks.

“We got through our Christmas day, put Christopher’s two sisters into bed, then we quickly had to get everyone out of the house again.

“I was in at 11.05pm, then Christopher was born by 11.20pm.

“Everyone is so excited, they couldn’t wait to meet him.”