THE patter of tiny feet is being heard at a Weymouth pub after five members of staff gave birth.

Five workers at Wetherspoons pub The Swan, in St Thomas Street, have given birth this year.

It’s been revealed since the Dorset Echo first broke the story in February about five staff falling pregnant that two more employees are expecting.

The girls said they were completely shocked when they found out they were all pregnant and jokes went round the pub that there must be something in the beer.

In February, baby Olivia arrived eight weeks early for Nichola Heele and just a couple of weeks later in March, Hannah Roper celebrated the arrival of Jamie.

There was a double celebration in June when Chantelle Hennessey gave birth to her daughter Lacey and Kim Newstead gave birth to her first daughter Lucy. Then in September Donna McCarthy’s son Tate arrived.

Two more staff will also be giving birth soon. The group is waiting for Toni Richards’s first baby to arrive this month and then next year will see Kerry Steels becoming a mum for the first time.

Mum of three Donna said: “Everyone was joking and saying be careful of the drink or the office chair.

“Especially when you are working, it’s good to have a few people who know what you’re going through.

“And those of us who have had children before could support the new mums.

“It’s nice to think that they will all be going to school at the same time.

“It’s brought everyone closer together because we have more in common and can be there for each other.”

First-time-mum Hannah said that it had been great to be able to ask the other girls for advice and help.

She added: “There’s not enough time to get everything done now. We can’t believe how fast they have grown.”

Chantelle was the fourth girl to become pregnant and she said: “We couldn’t believe it. We were all totally shocked but it’s been brilliant.”

Pub manager Kim said people visited the pub from all over the country to congratulate them and find out how the babies were doing after the Dorset Echo first broke the story about the new mums-to-be earlier this year.

She said: “It was really nice. Holidaymakers were coming in and asking how everyone was.

“We would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Dorset County Hospital. They have been marvellous. We are very lucky to have the Special Care Baby Unit there too.

“There’s nothing worse than having a baby and not being able to stay with them.

“They have been amazing.”