Mothers brought in the new year by giving birth to beautiful newborn children.

While millions spent time with friends, family and loved ones, staff and mothers at hospitals across Sussex spent the first hours of 2014 welcoming new faces to the world.

Midwives at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) in Brighton had delivered five babies by yesterday afternoon including Archie Gray, who weighed 7lbs, son of Sophia Pybus, 26, and Phil Gray, 23.

Also at the RSCH was first-time mum Kim Pulley, 30, who gave birth to Lucy Sienna Pulley – weighing 6lbs 11oz.

Kim, from Telscombe Cliffs, said: “I celebrated new year’s in the birthing pool but we have a lovely little girl which isn’t a bad way to start off the year.

“She arrived at about 4.55am and we’re proud parents for sure.”

Shelley Hawkins, 37, and partner Jack Pan, 39, welcomed a baby boy weighing 8lbs 11oz – but had not yet decided on a name for him.

Shelley, from Brighton, said: “He was due on January 13 so he was very early. I didn’t expect to spend New Year’s Day in hospital but we’re so happy.

“I was asleep in bed when my waters broke and he was born at 5.18am. We’ve not agreed on a name but we have a few on the go and we will decide soon.”

Elsewhere there were four newborns at Worthing Hospital and two at the Eastbourne Maternity Unit.

By 2pm yesterday staff at the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath had only delivered one baby, but two more women were in labour.

Proud mother Louise Rodrigues, 32, from Heathfield, gave birth to a little boy weighing just under 7lbs – but was still searching for a name.

She said: “He is my third and he has two sisters waiting for him.

“He was two days’ late and I went into labour as the chimes sounded at midnight so it was all systems go from then.”