Baby, what a great way to start the year!

HAPPY family: Cherry and Gary Dorman with baby Charlie Oliver

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NEW Year babies brought joy to families in Oldham with little Fatima Zahra Ahmed the first to arrive in 2014 at the Royal Oldham Hospital’s maternity unit.

She was born at 1.03am yesterday, weighing a healthy 7lb 13oz.

Mum Liza Ahmed (31) said: “It’s proved very special. It was always going to be a special day but she has had really nice treatment as she was the first one. I’m dead chuffed.”

Proud dad Hafiz Ahmed (33) added: “It’s a great start to the New Year.”

The second of eight babies born at the hospital yesterday morning was yet to be named after arriving at 1.54am, weighing 5lb 6oz.

Proud parents Paresh (27) and Neetika Bhurdia (25), from Royton, were getting ready for a quiet New Year in when Neetika went into labour with their first child two weeks early.

The third arrival was Charlie Oliver Dorman at 4.57am, weighing 6lb 4oz.

He wasn’t due until January 19, and parents Gary and Cherry Dorman, from Hollins, were out on New Year’s Eve before Cherry went into labour back home at 2.30am.

Cherry (24) said: “It’s brilliant that he was born on New Year’s Day. I’m so happy. He’s been as good as gold.”