New Year baby Alfie Cribben has received a signed photo from EastEnders star Shane Richie, who plays the character of his namesake - thanks to the Kentish Express.

During a routine New Year's Day visit to the local maternity ward The Kent Messenger Group weekly found that new mum Mandy Cribben had given birth to Alfie on January 1.

Mandy had previously had seven daughters so it was quite a story.

The Ashford-based paper splashed on the tale, which was then picked up by The Sun, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Daily Mail, local television news and national magazines.

Dad Bill named the new arrival Alfie after EastEnders character Alfie Moon.

Then the Kentish Express delighted the family by handing over a signed picture from the actor, who sent the photograph of himself after the paper approached the star.

Mandy said: "It's amazing. I still can't believe it. I'll have to put this up on the wall next to all the cuttings from the papers.

"It's been absolute madness. There's not been a day when we haven't had a phone call or a letter in the post from a magazine or TV programme wanting to do a story about it."

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