The first babies of 2021 to be born at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust are proving double trouble for their Biddulph parents.

Joanne and Guy Baxendale from Biddulph were not only the first couple at UHNM to have their babies in 2021 at Royal Stoke University Hospital but they had twins born on New Year's Day.

Joanne, 34, was induced in the morning on New Year's Eve and at 12:49am on New Year's Day they welcomed Jonah Guy Baxendale to the world and shortly after at 1:09am they added Alice Louise Elizabeth Anne Baxendale to their family.

Jonah weighed 6lb 14oz and Alice weighed 6lb 3oz.

Joanne, who already has two boys at home, five-year-old Tobias and Caleb, three, said: "We came in to be induced and we were unsure how long it would take from then to giving birth. Even with the Covid restrictions we had an amazing experience, staff on the delivery suite and ward 206 were amazing, I was well looked after and felt completely reassured about my safety and the birth of my babies.

"Luckily I had a natural birth and my partner was allowed to stay throughout. I was convinced I was having two boys before we found out the sex with already having another two at home. I stayed on Ward 206 for two days before going home. My other two boys were so excited to meet our new additions and although we now have our hands full at least they can't argue about who is holding the baby first."

Joanne's mum, Caryn Robinson, a retired midwife who worked at UHNM for 33 years, said: "I was a sister on the labour ward at Royal Stoke before retiring so I knew she would be well looked after by the team. It was shame that I couldn't be there due to Covid-19 but I'm just pleased it went smoothly, as being a midwife myself I knew the complications that could happen with twin births.

"I now have five grandkids, which is wonderful I am just thankful for Facetime while we are in lockdown so I get to see them all."

Hayley Lightfoot, midwife at Royal Stoke University Hospital, said: "The birth of the twins was lovely and straightforward, we had our lovely obstetric registrar present, which is normal for twins and a coordinator. I would like to wish them congratulations and all the best for the future.

"They are the first set of twins I've delivered in my 12 years qualified. I've cared for many twin pregnancies but different circumstances meant that either the medical team needed to assist with one or both twins deliveries.

"The shift was a steady night where the majority of the team were able to see New Year in together before going back to our patients. It was a pleasure to look after the daughter of our retired midwives."