A father whose birthday fell on Christmas Eve had an even greater cause for celebration over the holiday -- the birth of a new son on Christmas Day.

Christophe Thessiu, 37, was at the bedside of his wife, Marta, at the Chipping Norton Hospital on Christmas night, when she gave birth to Kai, shortly after 7.30pm.

The new arrival, weighing in at 6lbs 10ozs, is a third son for the couple, and a new brother for Hugo, five, and Erizo, aged two.

Mrs Herrero, 36, said: "Everything went fine and it was a natural birth.

"I'm a full-time mother while my husband runs his own company in London selling scientific products."

Baby Kai was one of eight arrivals to greet Christmas Day in Oxfordshire.

First on the scene, at the John Radcliffe Hospital's maternity unit at 1.36am was daughter, weighing 7lbs 2ozs for Jayne and Colin Ball, of London Road, Wheatley.

A second baby was born later in the morning, and four more arrived during the course of the day.

Two of the new mothers were Hannah Peake of Kidlington, who gave birth to Courtney Louise, weighing 6lbs 12 ozs, and Kirsten Skyrneof Bicester, who gave birth to a 7lbs 13 ozs son.

Two more babies were born later in the day, neither of whose families wished to be identified.

Another baby was delivered at home to Alan and Sarah Fleming of Orchard Close, Chalgrove, at midday.

New arrival William, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs 20ozs, is a welcome brother for their three-year-old daughter Charlotte.

Mr Fleming said: "We are all overjoyed and Charlotte is very happy to have a brother."