THE first baby to be born in 2005 at Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital was little Jonny Austin Briscoe.

Weighing in at a healthy 6lbs and 8oz, Jonny entered the world at 1.03am on New Year's Day.

Proud parents Steven and Kathleen Brisoe and their two-year-old son, Thomas, said they were thrilled with their new arrival and thought his birth was the perfect way to start the New Year.

Kathleen, 25, of Ashley Street, Accrington, said: "I was having very heavy contractions when the count down to midnight started and it was then that I knew he would be a New Year's baby.

"It will be lovely to have his birthday on New Year's day as my sister has her birthday on November 5 and with all the fireworks she always feels like the whole country is celebrating with her. Now it will be the same for Jonny."

Baby Jonny's arrival was extra-special for the couple as Kathleen's pregnancy had been monitored closely by doctors as she said they were worried he would be "really small".

She added: "I feel really lucky that he is so healthy and a good weight too as for the last few weeks I have had to visit the hospital twice a week so they could monitor his development.

"Thomas has been so excited as well and we are are so thankful, especially with the news of more people dead in the tsunami disaster."

Dad Steven added: "We are so lucky to have some good news when there is so much bad news in the world at the moment.

"This is the perfect fresh start to the New Year - it really couldn't be any nicer."