Proud mum Sonja Cross was overjoyed when baby Leighton was born in Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, writes Victoria Owen.

But the birth will not be shouted from the rooftops - unlike when Sonja was born in the same hospital almost 25 years ago.

At the time, the Oxford Mail carried a picture showing a group of roofers who had painted a placard and placed it six storeys up on a building opposite the hospital.

The roofers, all regulars at the Swan pub in Marston Street, Oxford, where Sonja's mum, Anita, was landlady, wanted her to see it from her hospital bed after the birth.

Unfortunately, they had all had a bit too much to drink and didn't know how to spell Sonja. They settled for Sonja's second name and wrote: "Welcome to baby Kay". This would have been fine, except Sonja's second name is Kate.

Now 24-year-old Sonja, of St Clement's, Oxford, is back at the hospital where she gave birth to 6lb 10oz Leighton on Wednesday evening.

And proud dad Michael Sewell, 32, is overjoyed by his little son.

Sonja said: "He has celebrated, but I haven't had a chance yet.

"But when I go home I will be having a few friends round and then sleeping for a long time!

"Luckily no-one has forgotten Leighton's name - yet!"

Story date: Thursday 02 March

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