First babies born of the New Year

By Patrick Lowman, John Howard and Sharon Asplin

THE New Year began with double delight for one East Anglian mother who gave birth to beautiful twins.

The arrival of 2004 will now always be an extra special day for Kelly Smith, 27, and her partner, Clive Wilson, 35, who welcomed their newborn son and daughter Keyie and Zane to the world.

Although the twins were not due to make their entrance until January 26, Miss Smith was taken into the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on Monday after becoming ill.

She gave birth to the twins by Caesarian section at 11.51am and 11.55am yesterday and despite being a little bit on the small side due to their early arrival, both brother and sister were in fine health.

Keyie arrived first, weighing just 4lb, and her brother followed shortly afterwards, weighing 5lb. The twins are now waiting to go home to the Prior's Estate in Bury St Edmunds, where they will meet the couple's three other children, Chelsea, four, Ryan, three, and 17-month-old, Casey.

Miss Smith said: "It is a great way to start the New Year, the day will be even more special for us in the future. I didn't mind missing all the celebrations because we have something of our own to celebrate now. It is quite romantic really."

Proud new father, Mr Wilson, added: "We are delighted, both are doing really well and we are looking forward to getting them home with the rest of the family. New Year's Day will be special from now on – and it is certainly going to cost more."

Another couple also spent the turn of the year at the West Suffolk Hospital, where they celebrated the birth of their first child.

Shaun Butters, 30, and his wife, Nicola, are now proudly showing off their son, Jamie, to the world after he arrived at 4.20am yesterday, weighing 6lb 8oz.

The couple, from Great Cornard, went to the hospital at 11pm on New Year's Eve and just over five hours later became parents for the first time.

Mr Butters said: "I was bit shocked when we had to come in on New Year's Eve, but I didn't mind as we didn't have much planned anyway. Having our first child is a great way for us to start the New Year."

His delighted wife added: "I am so pleased, it is certainly going to change the way we celebrate the New Year from now on and I predict a big party next year.

"I was ready to meet Jamie, so I didn''t really mind missing the celebrations and it is the best possible way to start the year."

There were seven new babies born on New Year's Day at Ipswich Hospital, with the first arriving at 4.35am.

Georgina and Jamie Strutt were celebrating the arrival of a boy at 4.35am, weighing at 7lb 15oz, a brother for 16-month-old Algie.

The couple, from East Bergholt, said the birth of their son – who has not yet been named – was fantastic news and at least a week earlier than expected.

Darren and Sally Kirby, from Ipswich, were overjoyed at baby Ella's arrival in the world at 6.18am, weighing 8lb 3oz, although their daughter was born about two-and-a-half weeks late.

Mr Kirby, a 37-year-old who works for the air force, and his wife, a 32-year-old Ipswich Borough Council worker, were especially thrilled as it was also his birthday yesterday.

"This is fantastic, what can you say, I am completely made up. Ella is a great birthday present, the best I could want, this is lovely," said Mr Kirby.

Amaury and Amanda Magotte, from Woodbridge, had a little girl at 11.08am, weighing 5lb 9oz. The couple, both teachers aged in their mid-30s, have not named her yet, but were delighted at the birth of their first child.

Mr Magotte said: "I am so excited, we did not know if it was a boy or a girl. I actually jumped for joy when I heard."

Felixstowe couple, Sonia and Nuri Taghdi, were celebrating the birth of baby Aisha at 10.26am, weighing 7lb 9oz, a week later than expected. The new arrival was a sister for Hannah, four, and the whole family said they were thrilled.

Mrs Taghdi, a shipping clerk, added: "It's a good day and a nice start to the New Year. We want to say a big thank you to all the staff, especially are midwife Joy Tregear."

Kirsty Irvine and Laurence Last, from Alderton, were delighted at the arrival of a baby boy at 11.04am, weighing 8lb 4oz. A sister for three-year-old Emily, he has not been named him yet.

Julie and Colin Sneddon, from Ipswich, had a baby girl at 4.45am, weighing 8lb 8oz, but also have not decided on a name yet.

One couple from Baylham, near Ipswich, who asked not to be named, also had a baby on New Year's Day. Their newborn son, Arthur, weighed 6lb 12oz and was born at 11.35am, four days earlier than expected.

The first baby to arrive at St John's Hospital in Chelmsford was a bouncing boy for Abigail Gamman and Nik Haneman.

A thrilled Ms Gamman, from South Woodham Ferrers, gave birth to Harry, weighing 6lb 15oz, at 1.15am. He was a third child and a new brother for Charlotte, three, and Holly, 17 months.

Another set of delighted parents were Nicola and Lee Harvey, of Osea Way, Chelmsford. Mrs Harvey gave birth to Faye, who tipped the scales at 9lb 4oz, just before 8.15am. She was the couple's second child and a sister for Lucy, two.

At the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, new mum Heidi-Martina Lockett and her husband Steven, from Great Yarmouth, were celebrating the birth of their first child, Chelsea-Leighanne, who was born at 7.28am and weighed 7lb 3oz.