THE Porter family loves Christmas, which is just as well – as they celebrate five birthdays on the day.

Ian Porter and his son Elliott, who turns one this year, both have two sets of presents to look forward to.

Ian’s older cousins Alex and Sam and second cousin Lucy will also be a year older on December 25.

Incredibly, all the birthdays are on Ian’s side of the family.

Lucy was born on December 25, 2011, while Elliott arrived on Christmas Day last year, so a birth this Christmas Day would make a hat-trick of new arrivals.

Ian, from Covingham, spent Christmas Day last year in the maternity ward of his local hospital with wife Emma after Elliott arrived several weeks late weighing 8lbs.

The 38-year-old said: “It’s going to be crazy this year.

“We have had to plan a long way ahead as it’s Elliott’s first birthday so we’ve gone to town on him and spent quite a bit.

“When I was growing up my mum and dad would give me my birthday presents on Christmas Eve and my Christmas presents the next day, so we’re going to continue the tradition.

“It’s good when you’re younger because you’re all excited and you don’t have to wait as long as anyone else.”

This year Elliott can look forward to a ride-on a JCB for his birthday and a Pirate Pete boat for Christmas Day as the family welcome round relatives for a traditional celebration.

He said: “I’ve been working hard but my wife’s the superstar. She’s been organising the day and organising presents. It’s all credit to her.”

Emma, 36, a Christmas temp at Matalan, said: “It’s a bit hectic. It’s just a case of buying loads of presents.

“We’re going to have birthday cakes and a Christmas pudding. I think there’s going to be lots left over. It’s going to be mad but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Ian puts the brace of Porter birthdays down to a strange co-incidence.

He said: “It’s become a bit of an in-joke now As soon as a member of the family falls pregnant everyone says the child will arrive on Christmas Day.

“When we found out Emma was pregnant I just knew.

“This year Emma has a cousin who is due at the beginning of January so you never know, the tradition might pass over on to the other side of the family.”

Alex lives in Dorset, Sam in South Africa and Lucy’s parents in Yorkshire, although all the relatives send each other two sets of presents and two cards.

Ian, an IT expert, said: “It’s unique and quite special.

“It’s pure coincidence but it’s something that we all enjoy.”