THERE was plenty to celebrate yesterday as at least five New Year’s Day babies were born in Sussex.

Emily Watts and Adam Salvage, of Kipling Avenue, Woodingdean, were thrilled to welcome son Leo into the world at Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Despite arriving a couple of days earlier than planned at 2.44am yesterday, Leo weighed a healthy 8lb 5oz.

Emily said: “Adam is always early and so we can already see some resemblance.

“This is such an amazing moment for us.

“Fate has played a huge part in this birth. Adam and I met on New Year’s Eve four years ago, and he met my mum on New Year’s Day four years ago. The 12-week scan was on my birthday and we found out the gender on Adam’s birthday.

“The timing has been incredible.”

Leo is their first baby and Emily said Adam had not slept properly for three nights while they awaited his arrival.

Just minutes earlier at 2.27am, Emmanuel Chiwuba and Chioma Chinwuba, of Coombe Road, Brighton, welcomed their first baby.

Chioma, already up and walking about just hours after giving birth, said: “She came out making so much noise, eyes open. Her name translated to English is Jessica, it’s a native Nigerian name. I feel good and we might be able to return home soon.”

Chioma, meaning “what God has written”, weighed 7lb 12oz.

Ben and Jennie Adams, from Lindfield, were celebrating the early arrival of their second daughter, Francesca Rose, at 2.04am.

She was the first New Year baby born at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Ben said: “Jennie is recovering and she is doing really well.

“We are so excited about Francesca. She weighs 6lb 5oz and I just cannot wait to go home and tell her sister, Mathilda, who is now three.

“We did something a bit old fashioned and decided to not find out the gender so it was a complete surprise.”

Next to arrive at the Princess Royal was a baby boy for Alex and Lucy Ellis, from Newick, at 7.26am.

He weighed 8lb 6oz and is for now called Baby Ellis until his parents settle on a name.

Ian and Lucie Aldridge, from Ardingly, were “over the moon” to welcome third baby, Jude, to their family at 1.48pm.

Ian said: “We already have Callum who is eight and Liberty who is six and they are coming up this evening to see their baby brother. They knew Mummy was pregnant but the little brother bit was a surprise to all of us.”