Parents and Midwives celebrated bringing in the New Year with the very special birth of two new babies at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Little Kaia Tanashe Mwakona, who weighs seven pounds and one ounce, was the first baby born at Walsall at 5.52am on 1 January.

Kaia’s proud parents Tisabel and Senz Mwakona said they were honoured their new baby girl was the first one born at the hospital this year.

Tisabel said: “It is amazing and special she is the first baby born here this year. Having a baby born on New Year’s Day is lovely. It was a long night but totally worth it

“The Midwives have been amazing – so supportive and kind. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

Closely following Kaia was the early arrival of Antonio Sebin at 6.13am, who weighs five pounds and eight ounces and wasn’t due until 29 January.

Parents Femy Jose, 33, and Sebin Varghese, 35, had a worrying December after Femy’s waters broke on December 13.

Femy said: “We weren’t expecting him so soon but it is a really nice start to 2025. I can’t wait to get home now and introduce him to his big brother.”