Jennifer Lopez gives birth to a boy and a girl

There was double delight for Jennifer Lopez today as she gave birth to a boy and a girl.

The twins were just after midnight local time in Long Island, New York, with the girl arriving first at 12.12am. She weighed in at 5lbs 7oz and was followed into the world 11 minutes later by her 6lbs brother.

J.Lo's manager said the star and husband Marc Anthony were overjoyed.

Simon Fields said: "Jennifer and Marc are delighted, thrilled and over the moon."

The twins are the couple's first children together.

J.Lo's pregnancy was one of showbiz's worst-kept secrets of 2007.

Her huge baby bump was obvious by the time the singer announced her good news to fans at her Miami concert on November 8. She told concert-goers at the final show on her tour: "Marc and I are expecting."

J.Lo's dad confirmed reports she was expecting twins in an interview on Spanish-language TV earlier this month.

There are rumors the new parents could rake in more than $6 million from an exclusive magazine deal to show off the babies.