A baby boom has hit the offices of the Oxford Mail, with five new arrivals for editorial staff in just six months.

On March 12 feature writer Katherine ‘Macky’ MacAlister gave birth to her third child, Beatrix, at The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and since then there has been a flurry of ‘nappy’ news in the newsroom.

After Katherine and her husband James celebrated their new arrival, sub-editor Malcolm Bradbrook became a first-time dad.

His wife Becky gave birth to Molly on May 29, also at the John Radcliffe.

Next to become proud parents were health reporter Victoria Owen and chief sub Marc Evans.

Victoria often visits The Horton Hospital in Banbury as part of her working day, but on June 15 it was there that she give birth to the couple’s daughter Grace Clara Emmie Evans.

There was more good news on August 11, when there was a new arrival for acting picture editor Richard Cave.

Son Monty was born to Richard’s partner Paula in the lounge of their home in Cumnor, near Oxford.

Last but not least came Lexie, daughter to assistant editor Toby Granville and his wife Debbie Waite, who is a Mail feature writer.

She arrived on August 17 at The Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

And it’s not over yet – perhaps aware that the only corner of the newsroom untouched by maternity mania was sport, ever-competitive deputy sports editor Mark Edwards made an announcement: his wife Ali is due to give birth on October 12.

Editor Simon O’Neill said: “They’ve obviously all had far too much time on their hands.

“We are upping the workload dramatically to put a stop to this!”