BABY Yasmin Dandy couldn't wait to greet the New Year.

She was the first baby of 2006 at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

She arrived at 4.04am on New Year's Day - three weeks earlier than had been expected.

Just a few days ago, mum Vickie Dandy had been planning a quiet New Year's Eve.

Her baby girl was not due to arrive until January 21. But Yasmin was in too much of a hurry, and Vickie was admitted to the maternity unit at the hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Yasmin weighed in at 7lb 1oz.

She is the second child for Vickie, aged 31, and her husband Paul, aged 28. They have a daughter, Kaitlin, who will be two on the day that Yasmin was due to be born.

Vickie, from Horwich, who works at an accountants firm, said: "I can't believe she is the first baby of 2006. I thought someone else would have beaten me to it."

The second baby did not arrive at the Royal Bolton until 7.25am - baby Kayla Mae Gregory, weighing in at 7lb 8oz.

She is the third child for 22-year-old Maggie Longden - but her first girl.

She already has two boys, Dylan Gregory, aged three, and 18-month-old Rio Gregory.

Maggie, who lives in Halliwell with her partner Michael Gregory, aged 31, said: "I've heard that girls are very different to boys, so we'll see!"

Other new arrivals included Noah Pierre, 8lb 7oz, born at 5.29pm to Stephanie Pierre, and Joshua Robinson, 7lb 2oz, born at 7.05pm, to Libby Dawson.