IT is a time of new beginnings.

And little Molly Turnbull took that tradition to heart when she was born just two-and-a-half hours into the New Year.

Weighing 7lb, Molly, was the first baby to be born at West Suffolk Hospital in 2013, making her appearance at 2.27am.

Mother and father Joanna, 30, and Aidan, 31, said they spent New Year’s Eve on the road as they travelled from their home in Soham to the maternity ward in Bury St Edmunds.

Mr Turnbull, a captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, based in Colchester, said: “We were just watching a movie and then Jo started and it was time to come here. We spent New Year’s Eve in the car!”

Mrs Turnbull, a youth worker, said it was “strange” that Molly would have 1/1/2013 as her birth date.

Her husband added: “At least she will always have people out celebrating her birthday.”

Four hours later at 6.48am, Sallyanne Scott, 38, and Andrew Clarke, 34, welcomed Penelope Clarke into the world.

Mr Clarke, said they had made their way to hospital from their house in nearby Petticoat Lane at 5.45am and were back home by 10.30am.

Penelope, who weighed 8.14lb, joins older sister Emily Scott, 13 and 13-month-old Albert Clarke.

Kirsty Godbold, 34, of Cherry Tree Road, Stowmarket, gave birth to her seventh child, Korey Haxell, at 7.31am.

Ms Godbold said: “It feels amazing really. I wasn’t celebrating last night but I think I kept all of my friends up by texting them updates.”

She arrived on the ward at about 6am and was holding 7.14.5lb Korey in her arms an hour-and-a-half later.

His nine siblings Jade Haxell, Kyle Haxell, Marcus Haxell, Warren Emsden, Atalanta Martin, Josh Godbold, Megan Godbold, Harley Godbold and Keeley Haxell were all said to be “excited” about meeting their new brother.

Korey’s father Julian Haxell, 43, said although an extra mouth would increase the workload, he was well used to the sleepless nights. “Keeley is only 16 months, so we don’t get much sleep anyway,” he said.

Helen Maynard, 26, of Queens Road, Sudbury, gave birth to Willow Rose, 7.14lb, at 10.36am after a prolonged labour.

She said: “I haven’t had any sleep Sunday and then I was up all last night. I was planning on having a glass of wine for New Year’s Eve as she was due on December 23, but she held on to the New Year.”

Husband, Simon, 27, a taxi driver, said their two-year-old daughter Summer was looking forward to meeting her new sister.

The last New Year baby, Isaac Hepburn, was born just over half-an-hour later to mother Songul Baran-Hepburn and father Carl Hepburn.

Weighing in an 8.05lb he is the proud owner of a very unusual birth time: 11.11am 1/1/2013.

Holly Hogg, 28, of Roman Fields, Woolpit, and Phillip, 34, just missed out on having a second New Year’s Day baby.

Rocco, weighing in at 8lbs, was born at 8.27pm on December 31 - a few hours short of his brother Ruben’s fifth birthday.

Hairdresser and beauty therapist Mrs Hogg they would hold a belated birthday party with Rocco and her other children

Nicole Bullock, 10 and Theo, one.