Babies receiving special care at Colchester General Hospital had a festive visit from the town's mayor.

Christopher Garnett and his wife Anne stopped off at the hospital's special care unit to chat to staff and meet parents and babies.

It was just one of his activities during Christmas Day and part of a series of visits he has made to hospitals and their different departments over the past few weeks.

Mr Garnett said he was impressed by the cheerful atmosphere of the unit and the attitude of both staff and parents.

He was one of the first to get to hold Christmas Day twins Molly and Ellen Williamson who will spend a few days on the ward as they were a couple of weeks early.

"It was marvellous to be there and see how hard everyone works. It really restored our faith in the work being done and made me wonder why people moan so much about our facilities," he said.

Mr and Mrs Garnett also met Mike and Helen Sparkes of Walnut Way, Brightlingsea, whose twin girls Bracken and Amy were born on December 15 but were not due until January 10. Mr Sparkes said the arrival of their twins was even more special because they lost a baby girl in February.

"We really wanted a girl this time but obviously the twins are wonderful. I am an only child and after we lost the baby my mum began to wonder if she would ever be a grandmother. Now it has all come at once," she said.

Mr Garnett also visited St Helena's Hospice on Christmas Day where he spoke to residents, staff and kitchen helpers preparing the Christmas meal.

"The people there are very ill but their courage is an inspiration," he added.

Christmas twins - the perfect seasonal gift for this happy mum

Picture: STEPHANIE MACKRILL

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