BABY Ebony Walker missed the white Christmas -- but became the first arrival of the New Year.

Ebony was born weighing just over 7lbs at 3.10am in Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital.

Mum Christina Rigby of Stanley Street, Accrington was pleased she was the first.

"It makes it that little bit more special. To be the first of the year is quite an honour," she said.

There was a bit of a lull until 6.14am when two more babies were born in six minutes.

First Megan Dobson was born to mum Katarina Brown of Alexandra Street, Clayton-le-Moors weighing 6lbs 8oz, then Heather Hartley-Smith of Sherwood Way, Accrington gave birth to Jack. He weighed 7lbs 3oz.

Heather said: "Jack's birth just makes New Year's Day even more special for me."

Staff then had another break until just before 9.30am when Michelle Lord gave birth to Lucy Jade. She weighed 6lbs 7oz.

There was also one unexpected arrival as one baby was born six weeks early.

Khalida Ahmed was not due to give birth until late January at the earliest but her son desperately wanted to see the whole of 2001.

Weighing under 5lbs, he is being kept under observation but at the moment both mother and baby are doing fine.

By midnight, tired staff and mums had welcomed 11 new arrivals into the world.

Picture: From the left, Katarina Brown with baby Megan Victoria Dobson, Heather Hartley-Smith with Jack Richard and Michelle Lord with Lucy Jade