Proud parents were given the greatest gift of all on Christmas Day – a precious newborn baby.

There were 24 deliveries at the county’s hospitals, including 13 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, three at the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath, four at St Richard’s in Chichester and four at Eastbourne District General.

Harper Hamblyn took the title of quickest delivery in Sussex after arriving at Eastbourne at 12.02am. It’s thought she could also be the first in the country.

Mum Coran Headland, 22, from Eastbourne, described 7lb 1oz Harper as the perfect Christmas gift. She said: “I’ve never really been a Christmas person but Harper’s arrival has made it extra special.”

Mohibur Raja and Rukshana Begum welcomed a new baby daughter at the Royal Sussex early on Christmas morning. The happy couple are yet to name her.

One new arrival decided she couldn’t wait any longer and chose to meet her parents at the Royal Sussex on Christmas Eve. Sara Fernandez was born at 11.38pm on December 24.

Excited father David Fernandez, from Brighton, said: “She is 52cm and weighed 6lbs 6oz. Mum and baby are doing well and they are both getting some well deserved rest.”

Baby boy Adam Chimeno also arrived at the Royal Sussex on Christmas morning, playing his part in what was a very busy day for staff in the hospital’s delivery ward.