Bermuda's Millennium baby slipped into the world at 7.19 a.m. on New Year's Day.

While some couples may have deliberately tried to have a child born at the dawning of the century, for Charles Pearman and his wife Terry Lynne Emery, the timing of the birth of their little girl was a pleasant surprise.

The five pounds three ounce healthy baby entered the Millennium in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the only child born on that day.

The birth brought much needed happiness to the family as the child's uncle, Dennis Emery, was buried the previous day.

Mr. Pearman, a firefighter from Knapton Hill, Smith's, said yesterday: "We're just glad the baby is healthy and looking fine, but it's a special honour.

"We were blessed to be picked. It was supposed to be the middle of January, but things worked out good.

"We buried her uncle on Friday and the baby was born on Saturday, so it was a blessing.'' The couple have yet to name the new addition to the family, but will probably call her Olivia. She will join Adrian (eight) and Kelsey (six).