A Shoebury couple are celebrating their new family - the First quads to be born at Southend Hospital.

Proud mum Isabel Martin brought quads Greg, Olivia, Madeleine and Brooke into the world at around 11.30am on Thursday.

Southend Hospital staff were left rallying around to clear enough special care beds for the babies.

Isabel, 31, said after the birth: "I am still overwhelmed. It has not yet sunk in."

New dad Del Roffey, 29, of Sedgemore, today (Friday) said he was relieved to have his children born healthy. He said: "We did not want to shout it from the roof tops until they were here safely. They are all as well as can be expected for a multiple birth."

First to be born was 2lb 13oz Olivia, followed by 3lb 8oz Greg, Brooke who was under 2lb and Madeleine who weighed 2lb 13oz.

Each was born within four minutes of the next through Caesarean. They are now being cared for in the intensive care unit.

The tiny tots are expected to stay in hospital for another couple of months - until the full pregnancy term is up and each has gained weight.

Del said: "Isabel started getting contractions on her own and she was taken straight to hospital. It was all over so quickly that by the time I got to the hospital, they had all been born. The new mum is now in good spirits.

"It has been a worry expecting quads. There were four from the start and we were asked if we were happy to carry on with that many. Once we had seen them all on screen, that was it. We just thought we would try our best.

"I am totally elated now they are here. It is great to see the babies alive and kicking.

"This is our family - we are not having any more children! I am going to need a coach already!"

Consultant John Ward, who delivered the babies, said: "I am very pleased it has gone so well."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.