ST HELENS couple Shaun and Lisa Leyland celebrated the New Year with the birth of son Scott Francis - believed to be the North West's first baby of 2001.

And it's double joy for the couple who have won the Star's competition for the first local baby of the New Year and a host of prizes.

Lisa, a bar supervisor at the Waterside Hotel in Carr Mill, lives with Shaun and her 12-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, in Wythburn Crescent, Carr Mill.

She went into labour on the morning of New Year's Eve and Shaun took her to Billinge Hospital.

However, it was not until 12.05am on New Year's Day that she gave birth to 8Ib Scott by Caesarian Section.

Shaun, who works for a printing firm in Jackson Street, St Helens, told the Star: "It was an amazing experience when Scott was born, particularly because there had been a few complications with his heart beat during labour, which was why they opted for a Caesarian delivery. But everything turned out all right and he was completely healthy when he was born, and both he and Lisa are doing brilliantly now.

"It is fantastic to think that Scott was the first baby born in the North West this year and he was actually a few days late so we weren't prepared for it at all."

The prizes to be presented to the winning couple are:- a Christening cake from Pimbletts, of College Street, St Helens; Kamera of Cotham Street, Street, St Helens, are giving a camera; 'Especially Wendy' Flowers, of Church Road, Rainford, are giving a bouquet of flowers; Asda, St Helens, are giving an outfit and a goodie bag; Baby Exchange, of North John Street, St Helens, are donating a £25 gift voucher; The Portrait Place, within T. J. Hughes, The Hardshaw Centre, St Helens, are giving a colour photo to the value of £25; Ashburn Alexander, Independent Financial Advisors, Corporation Street, St Helens, are giving £50 worth of gift vouchers.