FIREWORKS celebrating the New Year sparked the birth of one of Southampton’s first babies of 2011.

Marie Howell was left wondering if her baby would ever make an appearance having seen her Boxing Day due date come and go.

But as she sat watching the final fireworks light up the skies on the television, the 26-year-old felt the first twinges of labour and knew it was time to walk just around the corner to the Princess Anne Hospital.

Four hours later, at 4.17am, she gave birth to baby boy Ashley Broomfield, who weighed 7lb 7oz.

Marie, who also has a seven-year-old son called Dominic, said: “It was literally as the fireworks on the television finished I went into labour. I was so relieved because he was six days late.

“I think the walk to hospital probably sped things up because once I arrived everything happened really quickly. It will be cosy family nights in on New Year’s Eve from now on.”

Proud dad, Lee, 33, added: “He is beautiful. As soon as the fireworks ended it was all systems go.”

Despite his swift delivery, Ashley was not the first baby of 2011 to be born in Southampton. That honour went to Hayoung Jung who was born at 1.17am, by caesarean section, weighing in at 7lb 4oz.

First time parents, Myoung Wang, 35 and Yongmin Jung, 34, from Winnall, Winchester, were overjoyed with their new bundle.

The third baby to be delivered was little Shareef Alawadhi, at 5.20am, weighing 7lb 11oz. Mum Fatima from Lordswood went into labour just half an hour after the clock struck midnight.

Dad, Ahmad, said: “We are very happy and relieved that he has arrived safely.”

Despite having a busy December, which saw 29 babies born over the 48 hours between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the maternity wards experienced a much quieter night this New Year’s Eve.

The Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester did not deliver any New Year’s Day babies until the afternoon when four arrived, including Lilly Piggin at 6.15pm.

First-time parents Angela Diggins and Craig Piggin, both 23, from Andover, were “absolutely thrilled” with their 8lb 10oz daughter. Craig added: “She was due on December 21 so it seems she was determined not to see any of 2010.”