September 26 is most popular birthday - with Serena Williams among those born on that day

September 26 is the "most popular day" for babies to be born, according to research.

More than 2,000 babies are expected to be born on Thursday, a significant spike from the average 1,800 births a day, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The spike in births shows more babies are conceived in the days around Christmas than any other time of the year.

Birth rates in the US and New Zealand show a similar trend, according to the ONS.

The ONS said September 26 may see a spike because parents plan for their kids to be born at the start of the school year.

Notable people born on September 26 include tennis star Serena Williams, American Poet TS Eliot, and Terminator star Linda Hamilton.

February 29 has the lowest total number of births because it only occurs once every four years.

April 1 has a low birth rate which the ONS believe could be due to parents not wanting an "April Fools" baby.

Another ONS study found that babies born in January are most likely to become a GP or a debt collector, but those born in February have more chance of becoming an artist.