MIDWIVES at Dorset County Hospital brought a total of eight babies into the world on New Year’s Day.

The first of 2014’s newest arrivals at the Dorchester hospital was Maisy Hyett, who was born at 2.31am to Jenny and Simon Hyett.

Little Maisy, who was due on December 28, was born weighing five pounds and 15 ounces.

Jenny, of Beaminster, said: “It is lovely that she has been born on New Year’s Day – it has made it an extra special occasion.

“She’s so little but she is healthy and we are really happy.”

Nanny Tracey Dunford-Violet, who rushed to collect the new parents from the hospital when their car failed to start, added: “There will be fireworks on every one of her birthdays as it is on New Year’s Day.

“We are all so very proud of Jenny and Simon.”

Other births included Maisie Bartlett, who was born to Sam Barlett at 10.10am.

Maisie weig-hed seven pounds and 10 ounces.

The new mum, who lives near Blandford, said: “It is a great way to end one year and start another.

“It is the best New Year present.

“She is so perfect.”

Steven and Tina Ford, of Blandford, welcomed little Tiana Rose at 1.56pm weighing eight pounds and two ounces. The couple said her older brothers Mark and Paul Ford, who both play for Weymouth Football Club, were overjoyed at the arrival of their new sibling.

Dad Steven said: “It is quite bizarre that Tiana chose to arrive on New Year’s Day – we were expecting her on Christmas Eve so she is a bit late. It is a great way to start the new year.”

New dad Nick Foale, who lives near Corfe Castle, said he was overjoyed following the birth of his first child, Ellie, who arrived at 1.04pm weighing in at seven pounds and 15 ounces.

He said: “Mum and baby are happy and healthy. She’s got a full head of curly hair just like me – I’m a very proud dad.”

Stacey Hodge and her partner Chris Comben are celebrating the birth of their second daughter who arrived ten days late on New Year’s Day.

The pair, from Blandford, said they were still deciding on a name. Mum Stacey said: “If she had arrived on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve we were going to call her Eve but now we’re going to have a rethink.”

Dad Chris added: “Our eldest daughter Aimee is five and will be so excited to meet her little sister.”