THE Plews family enjoyed a quieter New Year than last, when their daughter was the first millennium baby to be born at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Grace Mary, who was born two weeks ahead of her expected birth date, weighing 7lb 4oz, celebrated her first birthday with a tea party for family and friends.

Her parents Debra and Paul, of Ruskin Avenue, Shildon, said the past year had flown by, and Grace was now learning to walk and talk with the help of her sister Shannon, five, and brother Nathan, four.

Mrs Plews said: "She's lovely. She's full of mischief and is babbling quite a lot. She can stand up by herself, and can walk from chair to chair."