Peri Davies-Lowton certainly has a fine sense of timing.

The baby girl held on for six days after her mother Sarah's due date to ensure she entered the world on Christmas Day - the first in Tendring on the 25th.

But while her timing may have been spot on, the location was far from ideal - as she was born on the kitchen floor!

Sarah, 29, explained: "I woke up at ten to four in the morning with a few contractions.

"We actually live across the road from Clacton Hospital, but they advised me to go to Colchester as I was bleeding.

"Luckily the paramedic got there just in time, as I gave birth just after 5.30am with no time to get to the hospital."

She added: "My husband Mark is very proud of his new daughter - he keeps telling people that he nearly brought her into the world!"