THE arrival of the New Year heralded some extra-special arrivals at Fairfield Hospital maternity unit.

For the Wildeman family, New Year's Day will be one long celebration after the birth of Neville Graham. He shares his birthday with grandmother Lesley.

Mum Susan (20), of Thompson Drive, Bury, said: "He was expected on Christmas Eve while his grandmother, who is now 47, should have been born on December 23. Both of them were born New Year's Day!"

Neville Graham arrived at 8.09pm, weighing 9lbs 6oz.

Also celebrating the birth of her first child was Samantha Smith (34), of Openshaw Street, Bury. Her son George William Smith was born on New Year's Day morning, weighing 6lbs 9oz.

Emma Lawder, of Bradley Lane, Bradley Fold, celebrated the arrival of her second child, Ellie, who was born in the early hours of New Year's Day. Ellie, who was expected on Boxing Day, weighed 8lbs 6oz.

Sarah Knight (26), from Haslingden, went into Fairfield a week earlier than scheduled and son Joshua Mark was born at 3.59pm, weighing 8lbs 7oz.