SEVEN babies were dressed up in rainbow scrubs for a photoshoot after seven nurses gave birth to them in the months following the start of the first lockdown.

All the nurses work at Burnley General Hospital and have been each other’s close support since going on maternity leave.

Jessica Milligan, from Barrowford, works in obstetrics as an anaesthetic nurse and gave birth to her daughter, Margot Milligan, on July 27, but she was not the only one.

Rebecca Horsfield became a mum to Theo, born in March, Catherine Ridgway, mum to Esther, born in April, Sarah Yankowski, mum to Phoebe, born in May, Stacey Nelson, mum to Rory, born in June, Kirstie Clare, mum to Nancy, born in August and Leah Helliwell, mum to Luke, born in September.

Mrs Milligan, 27, said: We did not know if we could have done the photographs together, so we had them done separately and merged them together.

"We all work at the hospital, some in the same department, but it was nice to have all seven of us give birth every month since March, so we wanted to get a picture.

"We set up a WhatsApp group during the lockdown, and it has been really nice to talk to everybody when you feel unsure of things.

Stacey organised the photoshoot.

She said: “The idea for the photo flourished when I attempted to arrange a socially-distanced picnic with the new mums and babies.

“We had all been isolating since March and it felt important to do something to celebrate these seven beautiful babies that made their appearance month after month throughout the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, due to tougher restrictions, we were unable to meet up for our picnic, but we still wanted to mark the occasion.”

Photographer Charlotte Shephard took the pictures separately before merging them together to create the montage, which is set to be hung at the hospital.

Mrs Milligan said: “The lockdown was not how I imagined it and it was quite lonely. I started to worry about going into hospital, but it was actually fine.

“We thought taking a picture with the babies was a good idea considering the current times and wanted to spread a little positivity.

“It has been helpful to get advice as well from the mums having their second or third babies, since three of us are first-time mums.”

The mums are now planning a get-together when the lockdown is over and restrictions are lifted.