Staff at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit at University Hospital Crosshouse have welcomed some very special arrivals.

No fewer than nine new babies were born to Ayrshire families as leap babies, or ‘leaplings’ - the first local children to be born on that February 29 since 2020.

The new arrivals sharing the unusual birth date included baby Aria Thomas, who was welcomed by parents Lisa Taylor and Jay Thomas from Troon.

Aria, weighing 6lbs 2oz and born at 9.54am, shares the same special birthday as mum Lisa, and is a little sister to two-year-old Lucas.

Little more than two hours later, little Gabriel Ayoub arrived at 12.08pm, weighing 7lbs 3oz.

Gabriel is son to mum Claire Wiseman and dad Mike Ayoub and sibling to three-year-old big brother Elijah, from Irvine.

Ruth McMurdo, NHS Ayrshire and Arran's interim deputy nursing director, said: “Our dedicated staff support women giving birth across Ayrshire every day of the year, both at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit at Crosshouse and in their own homes with our home birth team.

"You can’t choose when your baby arrives, but February 29 only comes round once every four years, so these little ones are extra special, and we wish them and their families all the very best.”