THE New Year brought new baby joy for parents across the North-East today.

In the north of the region, Kirsty Gorton, gave birth to a baby boy weighing 6lbs 2oz at the University Hospital of North Durham in Durham City.

Junior Kenneth Bradley Johnson was born at 5.56am by emergency caesarean section - the first baby to be born in Durham in 2014.

Miss Gorton, who lives with her partner, Damien Johnson, said: "I didn't wake up when he was born. I was asleep. But when I woke up and they put him in my arms I was dead pleased.

"He has only woken up twice since he was born. He has been really quiet."

The 22-year-old, from Cassop, County Durham, added: "I got a present of a money box from the hospital because he was the first born in Durham this year. It is really special."

In Darlington, baby Ava-May made it clear she didn't want to miss out on the New Year's celebrations, arriving three days early.

Mum Catherine Carter, 19, gave birth to her 7lb 1oz baby girl shortly before 9am this morning.

The Northern Echo:

Catherine Carter with her daughter Ava-May

Cleaner Ms Carter was joined by her mother and partner as she welcomed her first child into the world after a smooth labour lasting just short of three hours.

Ava-May was the first baby of 2014 to be born at Darlington Memorial Hospital, where staff made sure mother and daughter were well looked after.

Ms Carter said: "The staff have been brilliant and everything has been fine.

"Ava-May is a quiet baby so far and it's exciting being the first mother to have a baby in Darlington this new year.

"We won't be opening champagne when we get home, we will just have a quiet time."

The first newborn of 2014 at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital was an as yet unnamed baby girl arriving at 1.45am.

She was baby number four for mum Janette Edwards, from Gatenby, near Leeming, and midwife Kate Eyles said it was a quick birth as Ms Edwards arrived at the maternity ward at about 8pm on New Year's Eve.

She said: "Mum and baby were both happy and healthy and understandably wanted to get home as soon as they could - but as they left the new baby girl was still unnamed.

"She was a good weight - seven pounds and five ounces.

"New Year's Day is no different to any other day for us but we do try to make it festive and as special as possible for expectant mothers coming in over this period."