BABIES born over the festive period have been given a very special job - despite being only weeks old.

They’ve been given a star role in inviting mums-to-be to an open day at the midwifery-led maternity centre at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Emily Stammers, 24, from Catterick Village, gave birth to daughter Bethany Eve on Christmas Day, and Nicole Hoggart, 20, of Northallerton, gave birth to Alyssia Rose Watson on New Year’s Day.

And both are supporting the open day to be held between 10am and 2pm on January 24.

The event aims to help women who live across the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust patch make an informed choice on where to give birth to their child.

Emily said: “I felt reassured and really well looked after and cared for the whole time I was at the Friarage.

“I know some people worry about having to be rushed to a consultant-led unit if needed, but when I brought this up with my midwife she completely reassured me that if the birth became more complicated and I had to travel to another hospital, I would be well looked after throughout the process and wouldn’t feel like it was all a whirlwind.”

Maternity centre manager Deborah Hebblethwaite said: “We are opening the doors to the maternity centre next week to enable women visit and get the information they need to make an informed choice about the best place for them to have their babies.

“Quite often, women assume they will give birth at the hospital that is closest to them and are unaware they have a choice in where they can have their baby.

“We would like to encourage expectant mums, or those planning a new addition to their family in the future, to come along and experience the welcoming, calming atmosphere at the Friarage that so many women and families comment on when they come through our doors.”