Baby Flinn Barratt was one of the first to be born in 2003 when he entered the world within 35 minutes of the New Year.

He was closely followed by Darla Warriner, who arrived moments later.

As New Year's fireworks lit up the night sky over Brighton and Hove, Flinn and Darla's parents were celebrating their good fortune.

Flinn was born at 12.21am at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with Darla arriving just 11 minutes later.

Flinn was born to Meriem Barratt, 34, a Swiss national from Neuchatel, who met her husband, Mark, 38, while he was on holiday in Switzerland. The couple live in Goldstone Villas, Hove.

Darla's mother Gemma, 32, has lived in Brighton since she was 18 and is a physics lecturer. She lives with her husband in Sillwood Terrace, Brighton.

Finlay Donald made a surprise entrance to the world on New Year's Day, having been born five weeks early at 5lbs 11oz.

He and his mum Sarah Donald, 36, of Horsham, will be spending the first few days of his life at the special unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Proud new dad Angus Donald almost missed the birth as he was due to jet overseas through his job as a pilot for Virgin.

Donna Cairn, 21, and David Stopa were looking forward to celebrating the birth of their daughter after a tense few weeks.

Rosie, who was born at 7am yesterday, weighed in at 6lbs 14oz.

Donna, of Gower Road, Haywards Heath, will look after her daughter at her mother's house in Haywards Heath.

Raven West-Griffan was the first to be born at the Eastbourne District Hospital on New Year's Day. She entered the world, slightly later than expected at 8.39am, weighing 6lbs 12oz.

Her mother Lydia West, 20, a health care assistant from Eastbourne, met Raven's dad Simon Griffan when he worked at a local bar.

Nicola Durant felt a niggling pain at 9.30am on New Year's Day. Three hours later that niggling pain turned into baby Kallum.

He is the youngest of four for Nicola and proud dad Jay Stacey-Harding. The couple live in Brodrick Road, Eastbourne, and met eight years ago through mutual friends.

Staff at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, welcomed Shorna Paige into the world at 8am yesterday. Mother Debbie Morgan took Shorna home later the same day.

Baby Abi Denise Burton was in a hurry to put in an appearance on New Year's Day.

She was the first baby to be born at Worthing Hospital this year.

The youngster was born to proud parents Lisa Gough, 27, and Jason Burton, 24, of The Mannings, Surry Street, Shoreham.

Abi was born at 10.50am and weighed 5lbs 14oz.

A couple of hours later, Emily Hope Lamb made her first appearance in the world.

She was born to first-time parents Andrew, 29, who works for P&O, and Louise Lamb, 30, who is a fund-raiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The couple live in Milton Road in Worthing.

Emily was born at 12.55pm and weighed a healthy 9lbs 7oz.

Baby Lewis Norris's proud dad Matthew of Edmonton Road in Durrington, said it was the best day of his life.

Lewis, weighing 6lbs 14.5oz, was born to proud first time parents, Matthew, 28, and Elaine, 27.