At the dawn of a new year mums in Bradford Royal Infirmary's maternity unit were cuddling up to the first arrivals.

On the first morning of 2002, six babies filled cots at the maternity unit - and the first to arrive was was Holly Harris who arrived a day early.

Mum Emma Harris, 27, was taken in on New Year's Eve with the possibility of being induced but contractions started naturally during the night.

"She's the best start to the year I could ever want and definitely worth all that pain," said the special needs assistant of Tong.

Weighing 7lb 4.5oz, Holly is her third child and a sister to Devon, two, and one-year-old Brooke.

Due on December 20, baby Enrico kept mum Claire Joseph, above right, guessing throughout Christmas before finally arriving at 7.30am on New Year's Day.

"He was due weeks ago and I initially thought he'd be a Christmas baby," said the 24-year-old of West Bowling.

And 20-year-old Victoria Real, above left, was the first mum to give birth at Airedale Hospital in Steeton.

At 8.38am the 6lb 13oz baby girl - whose name is still to be decided with the help of proud dad Liam Standen - kept her parents waiting for ten days before making an appearance.

"It's a fantastic start to the New Year and she's a wonderful late Christmas present," said Victoria, an accounts manager.

Their first child, the baby was one of four to arrive at the hospital yesterday morning.