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Actress Julia Roberts gives birth to twins

Actress Julia Roberts has given birth to twins more than a month early.

The babies, a girl and a boy, were born in the early hours of Sunday morning in a Californian hospital and are both said to be healthy.

The Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich actress was confined to bed last month after experiencing early contractions.

The babies, who have been called Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus Walter Moder, were not due until January but publicist Marcy Engelman said 'mother and babies are doing great.' She did not release the twins' weights or other details.

The complications meant Ms Roberts was unable to make public appearances to publicise her new films Closer, a romantic drama, and heist sequel Ocean's Twelve. However, in a telephone interview with Closer she said, "I'm enormous," and adding of the babies, "They're bionic. It's pretty amazing."

Ms Roberts, 37, conceived the twins using IVF. The actress has been one of the most popular celebrities in Hollywood with a succession of films including Flatliners, The Pelican Brief, Notting Hill and Runaway Bride. She won her first Oscar for Erin Brockovitch.

Their have been no hints regarding her choice of names for the babies.

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