PROUD parents welcomed in the new year with new arrivals yesterday as babies were born in two hospitals in the district.

A total of nine babies had been born by 3pm yesterday afternoon at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Airedale General Hospital.

Maria Mullaney, 22, of Allerton, had one of the first babies born at BRI, when her son Reuben arrived at 5.52am on New Year's Day. He weighed in at 7lbs exactly.

Miss Mullaney said: "Reuben was two days overdue.

"My mum said he was born smiling, but I was not smiling at the time!"

A total of seven babies had been born yesterday on the Labour Ward and Birth Centre at BRI, with the first arriving at 1.47am, a boy weighing 7lbs exactly, who has yet to be named.

Meanwhile, Purity Makhubelo was born at BRI at 6.20am yesterday. The baby girl weighed 7lbs 4oz.

Proud mother Ntando Nyathi, 26, of Wyke, said: "It's the best New Year present. Nothing can compete to this.

"Purity is my second child, I have a daughter called Zoe who is three-and-a-half."

Armando Horvath was born at BRI at 7.53am and he weighed 7lbs exactly to mother Izabella Lakataosova, 18 and father Villiam Horvath, 23. The couple live in Barkerend but are originally from Hungary.

Mr Horvath said: "I've never felt anything like it."

Sister Ann-Marie Orr, of BRI's Labour Ward, said: "It has been an average New Year's Day on the ward for us.

"It is always special to bring new life in the world. It's a wonderful place to work."

Meanwhile, the first baby born on New Year's Day at Airedale Hospital, near Steeton, was Logan David Cann, who arrived at 4.40am weighing 6lbs 13oz.

His mother, Vicky Edwards, who works for Skipton Finance Services, was supported by her fiancee Chris Cann, 28. The couple live in Steeton and Logan is their first baby together.

Miss Edwards said: "It's great. Logan is my first baby. I feel fine now, I'm very well.

"Chris is feeling tired now. Logan was born a week overdue.

"I've had an eventful week, I turned 30 on December 28.

"I will take it all in my stride. It's the perfect start to the year.

Father Chris, who is engaged to Vicky, said: "I could do with some sleep but I don't think that's going to happen now.

"I love being a dad already."

The other baby to be born on New Year's Day at Airedale Hospital arrived just minutes after Logan.

Adam Joshua Docherty arrived at 5.21am yesterday morning weighing 5lbs 6oz.

Proud mother Charlotte Docherty, 39, of Cullingworth, welcomed her first son into the world alongside husband Andrew, 42.

Mrs Docherty had her left leg amputated below the knee in February 2010 after being born with a deformed leg.

Little Adam was born a week early and was due on January 8.

She said: "Adam is a great early birthday present for me as I turn 40 on January 8.

"It's crazy. I'm shattered now. My mum Patricia White died the day after my birthday in 2014 aged 68.

"She would have been overjoyed by this. I've been thinking of her today.

"I was overjoyed when I found out I was pregnant. It made my year.

"My husband has gone home to feed our cats."