NEW Year’s Day will be an occasion of double celebration from now on for the families of babies born at the very dawn of 2017.

By yesterday afternoon at the ante-natal unit at Burnley Hospital, four New Year babies had been born with another four mums-to-be in the throes of labour.

It was a far less busy 24 hours than Christmas Day when 31 new arrivals were brought into the world at the unit.

Zaheena Arum, of Warwick Close, Burnley, gave birth to her as yet unnamed son on her 40th birthday.

The little one arrived, weighing 6lb 6oz,shortly after midnight meaning he will share his birthday with mum.

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Mrs Arum, who was with husband Imran Ahmed and son Daud Ahmed, three, said: “It’s a lovely surprise to share our birthday.

“I didn’t think he would be born today as I was due to be induced later but I went into labour naturally. He’s just beautiful.”

Little Olivia-Mae Brindle was born at 4.47am, weighing 8lb 10oz.

She is the first child of Charlotte Brindle, 22, from Clayton-le-Moors.

Charlotte said: “She is just the most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen.

“When I was in labour I knew she was going to be born on New Year’s Day because I could hear all the fireworks going off outside.”

Gemma Hutchinson, 23, was holding close her daughter, Charlotte Jessica, who was born at 6.48am on January 1.

Gemma, who has another daughter Caitlin, four, said: “She’ll have a special birthday every year.

“The staff here have been amazing, they make everything so comfortable and are very supportive.”

Savannah Barret, 19, from Darwen and her partner Jorden West, 24, were celebrating the birth of their daughter Aubrey Jean West who was born at 6.38am.

Savannah said: “It’s a special day for us already as it’s our anniversary.”

Over at Blackburn Birth Centre the newborn son of Kelly Holden, 28 and her partner Declan Kay 28, got a spectacular introduction to the world.

The as yet unnamed boy, the couple’s first child, was born before midnight and was given a spectacular welcome.

Kelly said: “As it struck midnight we drew back the curtains, held him in our arms and watched the fireworks.

“It’s quite high up here so we could see the sky lit up. It was like they were all for him.”