A PONTELAND couple welcomed a Christmas Day miracle baby.

Alora May Denton was born at 9.57am on December 25 weighing 7lb 6oz to proud parents Rebecca Hodgson and Harry Denton at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The couple found out at their 12-week scan that their baby was due on Christmas Eve. Harry, a chef, was due to be working over the busy festive season.

“To start my labour on my due date, I was amazed”, said Rebecca, who had been due to be induced on New Year's Eve. “I think she’s so special she just needed to make her arrival for Christmas.

“When she was born, they said she had a knot in her umbilical cord so they said it was a miracle she survived. Normally, they can starve themselves of oxygen when they’re born. She was definitely a Christmas miracle.

“I feel like it’s taken a couple of days to sink in, but in the same sense, I feel like she’s been here forever.”

Alora, who joins older sister Bella, aged seven, was home in time for her first Christmas dinner with family and dog Rolo.

Rebecca explained: “I had her in the morning and they discharged me just after 2pm.

“They were fantastic at the RVI, they made you feel like you were the only one in there giving birth even though they were really busy. There were quite a few babies born on Christmas Day.

“It was lush to show her off to everyone on Christmas - even though we’d been up for hours and hours, it didn’t feel like it.

“She’s settled in so well, it feels like our home was made for her to be in. We can’t stop staring at her.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s her day now and it’ll be special regardless with Christmas and her birthday rolled into one.

“We’ll celebrate Christmas in the morning with presents and Alora’s birthday can be in the afternoon. It’ll be such a lovely family day; everyone comes together at Christmas and everyone is always so happy.”