AS THE NHS celebrated turning 70, the maternity unit at Basingstoke hospital was also marking the occasion.

To celebrate the landmark of the babies who will now always share a birthday with the NHS, the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was giving a little present to the first boy and girl born at Basingstoke Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester.

In the early hours of Thursday, 5 July, the first baby of the day was safely delivered at Basingstoke hospital.

Savanna Briggs came into the world at 4.44am, weighing 8lbs 2oz.

Her parents Alicia and Nick Briggs said they were both incredibly happy to receive the small gift from the hospital trust.

Together, they said: “Savanna is our fifth child and we have had a really good experience every time, thanks to the NHS.

“We are so grateful for the way they care for us.”

Alicia, pictured with Savanna, added: “It is crazy to think just how much has changed in healthcare in the last 70 years -I can’t imagine childbirth without gas and air!”