THERE was a bumper bunch of special deliveries in Bolton on Sunday morning – as the town welcomed the first arrivals of 2017.

Fourteen minutes after the clock struck midnight Donna and Paul Axon saw their baby boy became the first baby of the New Year born in Bolton.

The family have been celebrating the birth of Joshua James who was due on December 28.

The 8lb 3.5oz boy was an extra surprise for the couple from Bury who decided not to find out the sex of their child before the birth.

Stay-at-home mum Ms Axon, aged 33, said: "It's a bit of a shock, I can't quite believe it!

"We can celebrate a new year and a birthday now.

"Definitely no more children now!"

Joshua is Ms Axon's forth child and Mr Axon's second and siblings Ava Axon, aged seven and Leon, aged eight, Elie aged 12, and Nathan, aged 15, Matheson have all promised to help care for the new arrival.

Up next was Evelyn Faith Brewer, who was born at 12.57am weighing 6lb 3.5oz to mum Amy Clugston, aged 30, and dad Jamie Brewer, aged 25, from Farnworth.

This is Ms Clugston's second child as she comes a mum for the second time following Caesarean section.

She said: "I was due five days ago on Boxing Day. I'm delighted to have a New Year baby, it's amazing!

"We couldn't come up with a name straightaway, it took a couple of arguments."

Mr Brewer, a grounds worker  added: "I'm tired but buzzing!"

Agnieseka Chanowska was the third mum of the night, giving birth to 7lb 8oz daughter Scarlette at 1.55am.

The 32-year-old waitress and her partner Scott Coucill, aged 30, a shop manager, hail from Bury.

She said: "I'm happy to have a healthy baby, a healthy little girl.

"We will never forget her birthday, she will always have a party!"

Less than two hours later first-time mum Laura Smith gave birth to daughter Eliza-Jean Burt.

However the 7lb 8oz baby, whose dad is Iain Burt, aged 35, was a little overdue.

Miss Smith, aged 31 from Astley, explains: "She was suppose to come on Christmas Day, it has been a bit of a wait but she's worth it.

"Everyone is really excited, her cousins have made a video for her.

"It's a special day to be born on for a special lady."

At 8.22am Robyn Wilde, aged 24, and partner James Oake, aged 32, welcomed their first baby, 6lb 11oz Ruby Liah.

Miss Wilde, an insurance consultant from Radcliffe, said: "I had to be induced because I'm a diabetic. I've been in since Thursday and so delighted to welcome our first baby.

"I was really hoping she would be born on a special day, one of my nephews was born on Christmas Day and my sister said she can't steal the limelight but she did!

"We are also really surprised she's a girl, my partner James is one of six and she is now the youngest girl in our family. She is very special and is going to be spoilt."

In a rare coincidence, two mums living near Halliwell Road in Bolton gave birth at exactly the same time - 9.21am.

Leila Horvarth, aged 22, and her partner Zoltam Kozma, aged 32 - who hail from Hungary - welcomed their third son Genaro Kevin Kozma at 8lb 2oz, who was not due until January 5.

Mr Kozma, who works for Amazon, said: "We got up here at 11last night. We've been in three times in the last few weeks and always been sent home, we thought it would be the same yesterday but the pain got stronger.

"We are very happy."

In a nearby ward Fatamah Jahangard, aged 33, and Shahram Hashemi, aged 43, were with their first child after waiting 14 days for 8lb 6oz daughter rose.

Builder Mr Hashem said: "She was due December 19 but she wanted to come in 2017.

"It is an emotional day. I'm really happy, I don't know how to explain it."