THE NEW year got off to a good start for one family, as their little boy was born just hours after midnight.

Little Toby Smith was born at 3.50am on January 1, to the delight of his parents Emma Smith, 33, husband James, 38, and the baby’s big sister Sophie, 22 months.

Mrs Smith, of Chelmer Village, said: “You could say it was a bit of a surprise as he wasn’t due until January 4 but I went into labour on New Year’s Eve.

“It was quite a straightforward birth so made for a lovely start to 2015!”