Midwives at a Norfolk hospital experienced a busy start to 2012 with a bumper number of births in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which normally averages five to six births a day, had nine in the early hours of today alone - including one of the fastest births not only in Norfolk, but also the entire country.

Elliot White, who weighed 6lb 10oz, entered the world just seven minutes into 2012 making him the first baby to be delivered at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on New Year's Day.

His proud parents Samantha, 33, and Graham, 40, from Old Catton, near Norwich, were delighted - if a little surprised to be the first parents to celebrate a New Year's Day birth at the hospital.

Mrs White, an administration assistant at the Jenny Lind Department at the hospital, said: 'It was unexpected - we didn't really think we would be the first. We're over the moon, so pleased. He's perfect.'

But Mr White, a teacher said Elliot, a brother for their four-year-old son Isaac, was a surprise as he should not have arrived until January 5.

Charlie James Tillin was another early New Year's Day arrival when he was born at just before 12.30am weighing 7lb 10oz.

First time mother Anna Pearce, 28, from North Walsham said: 'He was due on New Year's Day but I had to be induced and was here since Thursday. I won the bet - I said he was coming on his due date - it was touch and go.'

Miss Pearce said giving birth to Charlie, named after her partner James's late grandfather, was 'painful' but 'worth every bit of it'.

Lauren Keetch, 25, from Diss, gave birth to Daisy May Keetch at 3.27am on New Year's Day. She weighed 6lb 7oz. Miss Keetch said: 'I did it all by myself. Two paracetamol and five minutes of gas and air. It was amazing. She is just perfect.'

Charlotte Smith, 26, from Hellesdon, gave birth to Toby Callum Smith, who weighed 6lb 1oz, at 4.40am on New Year's Day - despite him being due on December 29.

At The James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston only two babies were born today.

Baby Leo made his New Year's Day entrance at 6.28am weighing 6lb 6oz - much to the delight of his parents Darren and Marie Dawson, from Kessingland, near Lowestoft. He was born 15 days early.