THOUGH he's too young to know it, Reece Ryan has notched up a very special place in the history of an east Durham seaside town.

After months of searching for Seaham's first baby of the Millennium, organisers of a special gala exhibition have finally tracked down the young man who will play a key role their celebrations.

Finding the town's oldest citizen proved an easy task with the spotlight quickly falling on Maud Potts, who reached her 100th birthday in January.

But for weeks, representatives of Seaham Town Council, which has assembled the Auld Seaham Millennium Heritage Exhibition, issued appeal after appeal to help trace the youngest resident.

Finally, this week Reece's mother, Lisa, came forward to present her son, who was born on January 3.

Now Reece will join forces with Maud to be guests of honour at the exhibition which will open its doors at Seaham Leisure Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

The event coordinator, Jason Gordon said: "We were losing hope that we would track down the first baby to be born in the year 2000 and we are relieved that Reece's mum will be bringing him along.

"We were anxious to find the newest baby of the Millennium so we could complete our history of the town.''

And while excitement abounds over the fascinating display, Reece, who lives with his mother, father Peter and eight-year-old sister Natalie, was taking it all in his stride oblivious to the forthcoming meeting with the woman who is a century older than him.