Essex: All The 12s For New Baby Oliver

A couple from Ongar are celebrating an extra special birth after their son was born at 12.12pm today.

The timing means Oliver Talmage's full date and time of birth will read 12.12pm on 12/12/12.

His mother, Hannah MacLennan, who went into labour at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow shortly after 6am, said: "As soon as he was born the midwife came in and pointed out the timing.

"We were already celebrating and this makes it all the more special.

"He was due on the 18th so it's come as a bit of a surprise.

"It's a great little story which we will be telling for years to come and it will give him his 15 minutes of fame."

Miss MacLennan, 34, an admin worker at an investment bank, and her husband, Andrew Talmage, 39, who works in car restoration, already have one son, three-year-old Jack.

The couple, from High Ongar, were expected to return home with Oliver, who weighed 7lb, later on Wednesday.

Miss MacLennan added: "It's great to have a brother for Jack. I always wanted two children and we're not planning anymore.

"We've told the rest of the family the news and everybody is really happy."

Mr Talmage said: "We're just delighted to have a healthy baby - anything else is just a nice extra."

Many people consider 12/12/12 to be a lucky day and register offices across the country have reported a surge in wedding bookings.