MEDICS launched 'operation save Christmas' ­— after an expectant mum faced a miserable stay in hospital over the festive period.

Mum-of-one Rebecca Cusick ­— who is expecting her second son in January ­— was admitted to the Royal Bolton earlier this month after checks revealed issues with her pregnancy.

The wedding photographer, from Tottington, said she and husband Ryan were set to cancel Christmas ­— until kind-hearted maternity ward staff stepped in.

They set up a special private room room ­— complete with beds for her husband and son ­— and even a Christmas tree.

The 33-year-old said: "We just sort of blocked Christmas out of our head. We were going to cancel it and have it in January or February, once we were out.

"We were literally going to treat Christmas day as another day."

But nurses on the ward leapt to the couple's rescue and decorated a small private room for the couple and their one-year-old son Elliot.

The kind-hearted gesture means that the family can now celebrate Christmas as a trio, while awaiting Rebecca's caesarean section in early January.

The arrangement will see Ryan stay in a camp bed in the room, while Elliot will be a in a travel cot.

Mrs Cusick, who has low-lying placenta, which can lead to bleeding during the pregnancy, said: "It was a complete surprise. It's just amazing .

"Obviously you don't want to be here in over Christmas but the kindness of everyone is just amazing."

Ward manager Heather White and ward clerk Wendy Parkinson helped organise the private room for the family.

Mrs White said: "It felt like a natural thing to do because she couldn't go home for Christmas.

"We got Rebecca her own side room with some privacy. We spread the word of what we were doing and gave it a name ­— operation save Christmas.

"There was a really quick response in rallying round because the idea around it was just so nice."