A BIG 2014 welcome is assured for the first St Helens babies of the New Year.

When Oliver Birchall arrived into the world on New Year’s morning it was the second surprise in the space of a week for his mum.

Ella Abbott was due to give birth on January 7 but Oliver came into the world a week early and became the first baby from St Helens to be born at Whiston Hospital when he was delivered at 2.44am on New Year’s Day.

Oliver’s 25 year-old mum Ella had earlier received her first special present when her boyfriend Gary Birchall gave her an engagement ring on Christmas Day.

“I nearly flaked-out when Gary said we were getting engaged in the living room of our home. The following night ! went into Whiston but was allowed home and then went back in on December 28 before giving birth,” said Ella, an adminstrator at a pallet firm in Ince, Wigan.

She and fiancé Gary, a support worker based in Knowsley, live in The Shires area of St Helens and have been together for 18 months.

“We’re made-up with him,” said proud dad Gary.

Another New Year’s Day arrival at Whiston Hospital was Luis Bonney who came into the world weighing 7lb 90z.

He’s now settling in with parents Lindsey and Ian Bonney at home at the Waterside Village, Lea Green.

“He should have been born on Christmas Day but I think everything has worked out quite well,” said his 33 year-old mum, a commercial manager with a Knowsley-based textile company.

Delighted at becoming a father 43 year-old HGV Ian is keeping himself occupied with the demands of fatherhood during his paternity leave.