STAFF at the delivery suite at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, had a busy start to 2006 with six new babies arriving before lunchtime on New Year's Day.

Among the proud parents were Cora and David Jackson, of Clitheroe, who welcomed their fourth son George Henry.

George, who was expected to arrive on December 23, hung on until 10.30am yesterday to make his family's New Year even more special. He weighed 8lbs 7oz.

Cora, of Chatburn Road, said: "It's nice to have had him on New Year's Day. Now we will be able to say Happy Birthday and Happy New Year."

Helen and David Mayoh, from Darwen, also added to their family with the arrival of their third child at 6.05am. Although the couple have still to agree on a name for their son, who weighed in at 6lbs.

They already have nine-year-old daughter Kathryn and three-year-old son Michael.

At almost the same time, 18-year-old Kayleigh Dawson, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, was giving birth to her son Tyler.

Tyler arrived at 6.06am, two weeks early, and weighed 6lbs 5oz.

Kayleigh said: "I'm really pleased. I wasn't expecting him on New Year's Day but I didn't really have any plans."

Proud dad Fokrul Alom, 32, from Blackburn, was also making the most of his first few hours with his new son.

Mr Alom, who already has two young sons, said he and his wife had still to pick a name for their third son, who arrived at 9.55am.