MOTHER-OF-THREE Katy Hickling told everybody there was no chance her fourth child was going to be a new millennium baby.

But at 3.46am on January 1 the 34-year-old from Clitheroe made her own little piece of history when she gave birth to baby boy Charlie.

The 7lb 3oz bundle of joy - who arrived 12 days late - was the first baby born at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, in the new millennium.

Katy and husband Stewart, 32, of Monk Street, who have three other children Anna, seven, Sally, four and 13-month-old Phillip had expected their new addition on December 20.

But Katy, who has recently gained an English degree from the University of Central Lancashire, said: "I told everybody there was no way I was going to have a millennium baby.

"But I have got to say I was pretty pleased with myself when I was told Charlie was the first millennium baby in Blackburn. I couldn't help feeling a bit smug.

"We got to the hospital at 12.02am so we actually saw the New Year in in the hospital lift."

Mandy Bennett and partner Mark Cook had been told right the way through her pregnancy that she was having a boy. But the 25-year-olds got the shock of their lives when a 6lb 1oz girl arrived at 4.50am.

Mandy, of Hurstwood Avenue, Blackburn, said: "I couldn't believe it when I was told it was a girl. It's such a shock I have not been able to think of a name."

Pennie Edmonson, 23, of Cliff Street, Rishton, gave birth to the third millennium baby at Queen's Park Hospital when Chloe arrived at 8.23am, weighing 6lb 13oz. Pennie and husband Daniel, 19, took Chloe home to join sister Dannielle , five and two-year-old brother Jordan.

Next in the roll of honour was 34-year-old Melanie Pye, of Revidge, Blackburn, who gave birth to Lauren Jade Rawcliffe at 8.34am.

Lauren is the third child for Melanie and the perfect birthday present for her dad John Rawcliffe who is 35 today .

A baby girl for proud parents Tassadeq Ali, 28 and mum Amira Ali, 27, of Oxford Close, Blackburn, was the perfect way to start the New Year. They have yet to choose a name for the child who weighed 7lb 3oz.

The last baby born at the hospital in old millennium was to Quretul-Ain-Shah , 20, and husband Sajjad Shah, who help to run the family newsagents shop in Lonsdale Street, Accrington.

The 7lb 9oz boy, who arrived two weeks early, was born at 4.09pm on December 31. His parents have yet to choose a name.

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