WHILE fireworks were exploding and people were seeing in the New Year, Swindon’s first baby of the year was being born at the Great Western Hospital.

Summer Ponting said she was thrilled to hold her little boy Jacob who was born after a mere one hour in labour.

Jacob Ponting-Howse arrived at 1.56am weighing a healthy 7lbs 12oz.

He was one of four babies who were born on January 1 at the hospital on Marlborough Road. Midwives said they had a busy day on the maternity ward when there was a flurry of births on December 31 with a near-record breaking 12 babies popping out before the New Year.

Summer, 21, of Avebury, said she was pleased her second birth was so fast. She already has a four-year-old daughter who Summer said is very much looking forward to meeting her little brother.

“I’m very happy – he is beautiful,” said Summer. “It was a lot faster than my first birth. I’m quite tired now. I expect there will be quite a few visitors today. Everyone is very excited about meeting him.”

She added Jacob would be extra special now that his birthday marks the New Year.

Little Matilda Debono was also born on the special day at 7.01am. She was born four days late and weighed 7lbs 13oz.

Her mother Charlotte Debono, 27, of Wichelstowe went into labour at 6:45am on Tuesday morning. She said Matilda was the best Christmas present and it was a relief to finally be able to hold her in her arms.

“I’m pleased she wasn’t born on Christmas day,” said Charlotte. “I’m looking forward to taking her home.”

First-time dad Damien Debono, 27, said he was over the moon with his daughter and thought she was very cute.

For Samantha Daley, who also had a little girl called Gabriel on News Years Day , she said this was her easiest and fastest birth. Samantha, 28, of Penhill already has three children, aged eight, seven and one.

She went into labour at 1.30am and was all finished by 4am. Gabriel weighed 7lbs 3oz. Samantha said: “She was my fastest birth and my heaviest child. I’m really happy with her, she is very cute.”

Midwife sister Kathryn Owen said there was always a buzz on the ward on New Year ’s Day.

“It’s very exciting but it’s also another day at the hospital,” said Kathryn.

“This year the midwife who delivered the last baby for 2013 also delivered the first baby for 2014. Every birth is special but there is something exciting about the first babies of the year – it’s a new beginning.”