Anastasia and Luck arrived on Christmas Day

TWO babies were tied in first place at the Whittington in the race to be born on Christmas Day.

Babies Anastasia and Luck were both recorded as being born at the Highgate hospital at 2.26am on December 25.

On the day shift, 17 midwives, five doctors, two anaesthetists, operating department practitioners, healthcare support workers, domestic staff, and community staff were working hard on the maternity ward and helping those opting for home births.

“You could really mull over missing out on Christmas Day by being at work. But when you become a midwife, that’s what you sign up for. You’ve just got to make the best of it,” said midwife Jane Laking.

She added: “When you work for the NHS, you do what you have to do. And as my dad used to say when I would leave for work on Christmas, ‘well, someone had to deliver baby Jesus!’”

All babies born on Christmas Day at the Whittington were given a handmade red and white striped knitted hat.

Those too small received a little Christmas stocking stuffed with small treats.

The hospital’s maternity unit is due a £100million revamp.