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A team of midwives will deliver Channel 4's alternative to the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast this year.

The women from Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton are following in the footsteps of Ali G, Jamie Oliver and Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The midwives will describe the festive season at the hospital in their message to be broadcast at 1500 GMT.

Head of Midwifery Maria Dore said she wanted people to think about families who had lost loved ones.

The midwives all featured in the channel's documentary series One Born Every Minute.

Their alternative message will be part of a series called One Born At Christmas which runs over the holiday period.

Midwife Kay Duggan said: "It's lovely to work here at Christmas, because you meet all sorts of different people, different religions and cultures - all celebrating Christmas in their own way."

Channel 4 has been delivering its own Christmas message since 1993.

Last year, acid attack survivor Katie Piper urged viewers to "appreciate the beautiful things and the beautiful people that you have in your life now".

But other choices have been more controversial, including President Ahmadinejad, who delivered the 2008 message.