THE New Year has been extra special for a young refugee couple -- with the birth of their first child.

Gozal -- which means 'Beautiful Person' -- Aliusov was born at the Royal Bolton Hospital weighing a healthy 7lb 3oz.

Mum Rita, 20, stayed in hospital for four days before bringing her new daughter home to husband Rashed in Coronation Avenue, Atherton.

Doting Dad Rashed, 26, said: "I am very happy. I am a little bit tired -- but I do not mind because I am so happy."

The couple met in Russia after facing difficulties and tragedy in their own home countries -- Rita is Armenian and lived in Azerbaijan while Rashed is from Iraq.

When they came up against persecution in Russia they sought asylum in England.

Gozal's arrival means the couple have cause for a double celebration as they got married on December 23 at Leigh Town Hall.

"We wanted to say our vows in English and we spent a lot of time practising," said Rashed.

But on the big day, due to legal reasons, a translator was present and the couple said their vows in both Russian and English.

And Rita looked beautiful as she wore a dark pinafore and a pretty white blouse. Rashed said English weddings were very different from marriage customs in Iraq.

"In Iraq if you know a girl that you want to marry you go to your own parents and tell them that you want to marry this girl. Then it is up to your parents to go to her parents to arrange everything."

Christmas is not usually celebrated in Iraq, but Rashed says he joined in with seasonal festivities this year now he is in England.

Rashed and Rita arrived in England from Russia on 10 January 2000 and moved into the Hag Fold Estate later that month.

Rashed had been living in Russia for five years and says he was forced to seek asylum in England after being beaten by racist Russian police because he did not have the correct documentation and because he was from Iraq.

He added they suffered additional persecution because Rita is Armenian. He said it was felt by some people in Russia that there were too many Armenians living there. Rita had fled to Moscow to live with her grandmother in 1989 after both her parents were killed during ethnic fighting in Azerbaijan -- a country north of Iran.

Now the Aliusovs are hoping happier times are ahead. Rashed said: "I would like to stay in England. In six months we will find out if we will be allowed to live here. Until then it is difficult to make plans." At the moment he is spending as much time as he can looking after his new daughter. He added: "I am very happy here. The people are very, very nice."