LITTLE Jonathon Green put in an early appearance as the region’s first New Year’s Day baby.

He was born at 1.23am at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough – two weeks before his due date.

His mother, Annemarie Green, of Marske, east Cleveland, had an induced labour earlier than her due date because she had a stillborn baby, born at just 29 weeks, more than a decade ago.

The 34-year-old, who has three other children, Jamie, 17, Luke, 13, and ten-year-old Aimee Louise, said: “It was an anxious pregnancy because the whole time I was thinking, I hope it will be all right, please let it be all right. I was the same when I was pregnant with Aimee. It is always there, in the back of your mind, whether it will happen again.

“The hospital was brilliant, and made sure I had scans and saw the midwife regularly.

“Now the worry is over. I keep looking at Jonathon and thinking I can’t believe he is mine, he is so perfect. I am so happy.”

Mrs Green said her husband, Doug, tried to wish her a Happy New Year as the clock struck midnight, but she said that by then she “didn’t care what time it was” as her contractions were coming five minutes apart.

She – and the midwives – had been hoping Jonathon would arrive at the magic time of 1.11 on the 1.1.11, but said: “I couldn’t quite push him out for then and he arrived at 1.23am instead.”

Jonathon, weighing 6lbs 7oz, was delivered safely and is now at home.

Baby Declan Lyth was born after Jonathon in a neighbouring delivery room at James Cook.

His mother, Charlotte Gittus, had a speedy six-hour labour – but only arrived at the hospital at 4am before delivering at 5.40am.

She said: “At midnight I was at home. I had been sent home from hospital because nothing much was happening and I had no idea at that point that he would be arriving on New Year’s Day.”

Declan was due on Boxing Day, but his mother said she was pleased he was a New Year baby rather than a Christmas baby. He is now at home and getting to know his big brother, Zack, 20 months.