St Albans mother Siobhan Hughes celebrated the best New Year’s present ever with the arrival of a new baby.

The first baby born at Watford General Hospital on New Year’s Day was Cara, daughter of proud mother Ms Hughes and father Jason Kennie of Rodney Avenue.

Cara Mary Kennie-Hughes was born at 4.14am, tipping the scales at 6lb 3ozs.

The couple are originally from Scotland and have lived in St Albans for two years.

First-time mother Ms Hughes said: "The bells were ringing and me and Jason were saying Happy New Year to one another and the next thing we were getting ready and out the door to the hospital, because the pains had become unbearable.

"My initial due date was December 30, which was then brought back to January 11. I thought she may have come early because of the pains, but New Years was a bit of a surprise.

"This is our first together, so it is all very new and exciting. We are all looking forward to going into the New Year with eachother."

Despite plans for a water birth, complications meant Cara was delivered in an emergency caesarean section.

The 35-year-old said: "Little Cara had to be resuscitated so it was all very scary. It was more traumatic for Jason because I didn’t really know what was going on."

It was a moment of joy and sadness for Ms Hughes, as seven years ago her mother died at 3am on New Year's Day.

She added: "My mother passed away on New Year's morning. The birth of my wee one has made me feel a lot better.

"It has made me see life a lot differently and now I can look to the future in a different angle."