PROUD mother Clare Latcham is celebrating a happy New Year with her new arrival.

Her son, Euan, who was born at 5.43am, was the first baby of 2003 to be born at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

He is Ms Latcham's second child, and had been due two days earlier. Her partner, John Paul Scott was at the birth.

Ms Latcham, 23, wasted no time in returning to her home in Chilton, County Durham, where her son, Kyle, was waiting to see his new brother.

She said: "It's been a long night and I'm very tired."

But she added: "He was the first one born on the ward this year and that makes him even more special."

In Durham, Samantha Graham, 33, gave birth to a boy, Thomas, just hours into the New Year.

Husband Simon was at her side when Thomas arrived, at 2.13am in the University Hospital of North Durham, weighing in at 7lb 10oz.

The couple, who live in Durham City, were not expecting their first child to arrive until next week, but were delighted when he decided to make an early appearance.

Mrs Graham, who works at Durham University, said: "I'd got to the stage where I was hoping he would come sooner rather than later, so it was quite nice he was early. I'm delighted he's healthy and well."