IT WAS a busy New Year on the maternity wards as several babies were born soon after Big Ben rang in 2020.

One of the first to arrive in Sussex was Evie Georgina Swain, who was born at 1.15am at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, weighing 6lb 1oz.

New Year’s Day also happens to be her big brother’s birthday.

Parents Dan Swain and Jessica Shields, both 30 and from Eastbourne, said they were so thankful to staff at the Princess Royal.

Dan, a self-employed builder, said: “They have been brilliant at the hospital – we can’t fault them.

“We are both so tired but very happy.”

Dan was excited to become a father and said he “cannot wait to see what comes next”.

Evie is their first child together, but she is not the first member of the family to be born on New Year’s Day.

Jessica, who works in retail, already has two children – 12-year-old Mani and nine-year-old Molly.

Dan said: “Funnily enough, Mani was also born on January 1 in 2008. What are the chances of having two children on New Year’s Day? Mani has been up since 6am this morning.

“He was hoping for a bowling birthday party today but has been very understanding.

“He’s excited to meet his sister – we have a busy day ahead.”

Another New Year’s Day baby entered the world at 4.19am in Worthing Hospital.

Paige Harvey Cook and Jack Holmwood had a baby girl named Arabella-Grace.

Arabella-Grace is the Horsham couple’s first child and she weighed 5lb 10oz.

Paige said she had to be induced three weeks early as Arabella-Grace had stopped growing, but she is much better now.

The 17-year-old said: “It’s very overwhelming and a bit scary. I’m in pain but happy. I was in labour for 13 hours.

“The staff at Worthing were great though. There is one midwife called Carol who kept me entertained the whole time.”

Meanwhile in Brighton, another baby girl was born at 4.48am at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Rob Pattison and Jessica Bowles from Newhaven had their first child – a baby girl weighing 6lb 7oz, who they named Lily.

Jessica said she was delighted to have a baby on New Year’s Day. She said: “It feels amazing and overwhelming at the same time.

“I was in active labour for six hours, but I was expecting it to take longer.

“I struggled a bit towards the end, but I feel absolutely fine today.

“Lily has been doing really well this morning.

“She’s been feeding well and is very happy and content. We are just going to try and sleep for the rest of the day.

“She’s the first baby in Rob’s family so they will be coming in later – they are all so excited.”