A COUPLE faced a 75-mile motorway dash to deliver the greatest Christmas present.

Teachers Kieran and Katy Buckley, of Netherthong, made an early-hours dash along the M62 so that their baby daughter could be born at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

The couple had been visiting Kieran’s parents in Hull for Christmas Day when Katy went into labour.

And they made it back – with just 59 minutes to spare before little Lucy made her unexpected appearance.

The baby had not been due until December 29 but her surprise arrival delighted the couple, who have been together for four years. Lucy is their first child.

Katy, 33, is expected to leave the Halifax hospital tomorrow with Lucy to join Kieran, 29, at their Holme Valley home.

The couple are both teachers at Ossett Academy. Kieran teaches business studies while Katy takes science lessons.

Lucy weighed in at 6lb 14oz when she arrived at 6.49am on Christmas morning.

“We just made it in time”, said a delighted Katy.

“She was not due until next Thursday and we had gone over to Hull to stay with Kieran’s parents for Christmas.

“Everything started about 2am on Christmas Day but we wanted to be with the people at Calderdale so we decided to drive back.

“I have never taken as much notice of the M62 signs as I did on that journey.

“The motorway was, thankfully, very quiet and we made the journey in little over an hour.

“It was a bit of a mad dash, with less than an hour to spare when we got to the hospital, but she is worth it.

“But it was quite a journey and now I’m looking forward to us getting back home as a family.”

THERE was a bumper crop of Christmas babies this year.

It was a busier than average Christmas Day with 15 new arrivals at both Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital.

The delivery units and birthing centre at Calderdale recorded 13 births – including eight to parents from Huddersfield, Brighouse and Mirfield.

Meanwhile Huddersfield Royal Infirmary had three local newborns making their appearance on the big day.

Calderdale midwife Sajida Mustafa said: “It’s a lot busier today. I think the birth rate has gone up!

“I like working on Christmas Day. It’s nice to bring a bit of festivity to the ward.”

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Royal Infirmary senior midwife Jackie Pearson said: “I’ve been a midwife for a long time and I’ve worked a lot of Christmases.

“I don’t mind working Christmas Day because it’s lovely.

“For us it’s just a normal working day although the atmosphere is a bit different.

“Births are nice at all times of year but I suppose it’s especially nice at Christmas.

“It’s been especially busy so far but you never can tell how the day is going to be in this job. But it’s nice to be busy.”

Among those celebrating were Craig and Philippa Cummins, of Paddock, whose second little girl, Holly, was born in HRI at 12.49pm.

Craig, 29, said: “She was due on Christmas Eve so it’s a nice surprise. It’s a great Christmas present.

“At 4.30am Phillipa woke up in labour and we left for the hospital at 5.30am.

“We had to leave the turkey uncooked in the oven and most of the presents unopened.

“Our parents cooked the turkey on Boxing Day and we had our Christmas dinner 24 hours late.”

Celebrating the birth of her second child was Vanessa Porter, 21, of Holmfirth, whose daughter Emelia was born in HRI at 12.34pm.

Ms Porter said: “It’s fantastic to have a baby on Christmas Day. It’s a great surprise.

“I had to get my other daughter, Phoeberose, up at 3am so we could open our presents before we left for hospital.”

One of the first Christmas Day arrivals was little Cadaeo Crowe-Lloyd, who made his appearance at 2.40am.

He is the second child for Gemma Crowe, 21, and Cassius Lloyd, 28, of Marsh.

The couple already have a daughter Kalay, who at 13 months old could not understand fully the Christmas Day fuss.

Gemma said: “It’s wonderful. I was due on December 15 so to have a Christmas Day baby is a great surprise, but a lovely one. She weighed in at 7lb 11oz, exactly the same as I was, which is nice.

“We got to go home yesterday and enjoy Christmas.”