A VERY special delivery was made early yesterday morning when one of the first babies of the new year was born.

The boy, who has yet to be given a name, made his mark on the world by weighing in at 6lb 10oz, at Hartlepool General Hospital, at 3.37am.

He is the second child of Ian and Catherine Flounders, who already have a four-year-old son, Jonathan.

The proud parents, from Hartlepool, are delighted that baby Flounders, as he is known for the moment, was one of the first to be born in the new year.

Mrs Flounders, pictured with her new child, above, said: "I saw the new year in at home, and then came to the hospital. It wasn't too bad a birth and lasted only an hour and a half. It is lovely that he was the first to be born in the hospital on new year and there has been a lot of fuss, but we are just pleased that he is well and healthy."

Both mum and baby were expected to go home yesterday afternoon.