That's our boy! Family of NINE girls finally celebrate the arrival of a little brother

Most Christmases over the past 17 years have seen the Laycock family with a new daughter to buy a present for.

And, after nine girls, aged between 17 and two, it was a pattern Sally and John Laycock expected to repeat itself when they found another baby was on the way.

But this year will be a little different. Yes, there'll be another present to buy - and another mouth to feed at Christmas dinner - but the latest addition to their family is a boy.

Happy families: L-R Mother Sally Laycock (34), Kellie-Anne Laycock (17), Sara-Jayne Laycock (16), Emma Laycock (15), Lauren Laycock (13), Charlotte Laycock (12), Sophie Laycock (11), Shannon Laycock (9), Jessica Laycock (8), Katie Laycock (2), Lewis Laycock (1 week) and father John Laycock (38)

Two-week-old Lewis will stretch the family budget even further and, when he gets older, will have to have a room for himself in their already packed home.

But the Laycocks are delighted that at last they have boy in the family.

When Mrs Laycock became pregnant again it was assumed the baby would be a girl. 'We'd become so used to them,' she said. But a later scan revealed a surprise.

'I was absolutely ecstatic,' said Mr Laycock. 'I started carrying the scan photo with me everywhere.

'Before Lewis came along, I had to try to make the girls interested in football. Now I'll have a boy to take to matches one day.'

With so many children, the Laycocks spend about £1,500 on presents. 'It costs us a fortune but it's worth it to see the smiles on their faces,' said Mrs Laycock, 34.

'We have to put aside a small amount every week to save up for Christmas, otherwise we wouldn't manage.

'This Christmas we'll squeeze around our long table for dinner. We get a massive turkey and lots of other meats too.'

One week old Lewis Laycock. Sally and John Laycock had always wanted a big family, but after 9 children, there was still something missing - a baby boy. Here he is...

The girls are Kellie Anne, 17, Sara Jane, 16, Emma Louise, 14, Lauren Danielle, 13, Charlotte Chelsea, 12, Sophie Jordan, 11, Shannon Leigh, ten, Jessica Michelle, eight, Katie Leah, two-and-a-half.

Their four-bedroom house in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, is fairly small, but is overflowing with clothes, make-up and fashion magazines.

'All our girls are completely adorable,' said Mr Laycock.

'They are respectful and never greedy, they don't ask for much in the way of material possessions and they are protective of each other.'

Mr Laycock, 37, had to stop work as a chef because of ill health and the family now survives on benefits and help from relatives.

The house is run like a military operation to make sure everybody gets to school and gets to bed on time, with the older girls helping out. 'It's crazy trying to get everyone dressed, fed and out the door in the morning,' said Mrs Laycock.

Lewis was born weighing a healthy 7lb 12oz on December 9 after a difficult birth. Mrs Laycock added: 'Lewis is beautiful and all the girls love him to bits. They spoil him rotten.'

Source: Daily Mail Uk.