DAD-to-be Anthony Bremner's work colleagues took more than the usual interest in the arrival of his first child - they had money riding on it!

Days before she was due to give birth, his wife Janet discovered Anthony's pals at Bolton Council were taking bets on the weight and the time of the child's arrival.

But 34-year-old Janet of Harvey Street, Halliwell, did not mind, as all the proceeds were going to the Mayor of Boltons tsunami appeal. "It was really nice to think that people were interested," she said.

The imminent arrival of the baby caused great excitement in community development officer Anthony's office, with increasing numbers of staff signing up and handing over their cash to take part.

Speculation was particularly rife about the size of the baby as her dad is 6ft 3in tall and her mum is just 5ft.

As Janet's due date came and went, 42-year-old Anthony was constantly being asked "Any news?"

Janet even found some participants trying to cheat by attempting to feed her curries to bring on labour as their chosen dates drew nearer.

"They would pull me to one side and say things like 'January 16 at 3am would be good. It turned out to be a really good laugh," said Janet.

In the end, no one got near the correct weight as their baby daughter tipped the scales at an impressive 9lb 2oz.

She was born two weeks overdue at 10.08am on January 29.

"Everyone was way out because she was such a huge baby," said Anthony.

Anthony's colleague Lory Povah came the closest and won the prize of a bottle of wine. And thanks to the Bremner family efforts, the tsunami appeal is £100 better off.

When it came to choosing a name for the little girl after she was born, Anthony was looking through a book when the name Lexine jumped out at him. It is Scottish in origin and means "helper", which the couple felt was appropriate for their little fund raiser.