First Christmas Day baby welcomed at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester

Born at 7.08am weighing 6lb 1, she was the first baby born on Christmas Day at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

Parents Ash Martin and Jem Lovering-Martin said: “We had always wanted to call her Dove, the name which symbolises peace and hope, which the world could do with right now.”

They thanked the ‘wonderful, hardworking’ hospital staff and said: “The care and attention we have received from St Richard’s has been incredible.”

Dove’s older sisters Elle, six, and Tigerlily, four, were ‘super excited’ to meet her, they added.