First off the mark on New Year's Day was baby Taylor Harry Singleton born to mum Alicia Jackson, 19 and dad Chris Singleton, 26, of Longridge, Preston.

Baby Taylor was born at 5.03am weighing 8lb 3oz.

Mum Alicia, who is an accounts negotiator at Iqor Recovery Services in Winckley Square, Preston, said: "Taylor is our first baby and we feel very proud and excited.

"Having him born on New Year's Day and the first baby of 2010 at Royal Preston Hospital makes his birthday extra special."

Baby Riley Matthew Stansfield hung on after his due date of Christmas Eve to finally make his arrival on New Year's Day at 5.21am, weighing 7lb 5oz.

Mum Stacey Ball, 20, who lives with partner Mark Stansfield in Bamber Bridge, said: "We think Riley is absolutely fantastic and having him was the best experience.

"I really wanted him to be born on New Year's Day and from the start of my pregnancy, I said that I thought the baby would arrive on New Year's Day! I thought it would be great for him to have a birthday of 01/01/10."

The last baby of 2009 at the Royal Preston Hospital was a girl born to Rukhsana Nakhuda, 28, of Ribbleton, Preston at 11.20pm on December 31.

Rukhsana, who is married to Ebrahim and already has a two-year-old son Rayhaan, says they have not yet decided on a name for their daughter.

She said: "We are overjoyed at her birth and it was a real surprise as we didn't know what we were having. We are very happy as we now have a son and a daughter."

Also born on New Year's Eve was Samuel Mercer, arriving at 7pm and weighing 7lb 11oz.

Mum Karen McNicholl, 30, of Ashton, Preston, says she and partner Stephen Mercer are thrilled at the birth of their first child.

Karen, who is human resources manager at UCLan's Students' Union, said: "Samuel was three days early. It would have been nice if he could have held on a few hours."

Parents Sarah and Simon Lewis, of Ingol, Preston, will be able to enjoy fireworks at both of their children's birthdays.

The couple celebrated the arrival of a baby boy on New Year's Eve, but have yet to choose a name. Sarah, 26, gave birth to their 71b 90z son at 7.07am. They already have a two-year-old daughter Ruby – who was born on Bonfire Night. Sarah said: "Both our children's birthdays are sure to go with a bang with plenty of fireworks!"

See more pictures of new year babies in the Lancashire Evening Post

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