three boys.

And baby Marcus -- 6 pound 14 ounces -- was the ideal wedding anniversary present for parents Leslie-Ann and Frank Henske.

Little Marcus was the last of the day's babies in a busy day at the King Edward Memorial Hospital's maternity unit, arriving just before 9 p.m.

But two of the proud dads both said yesterday they had not expected a New Year's arrival.

Father of the first of the year, Kenneth Wainwright, whose girlfriend Rekisha Basden gave birth to baby boy Chakote just over four hours into 1997, said: "He came early -- it was supposed to be January 12. It was very much a surprise.'' Ms Basden, of Paget, gave birth to 4 pound 11 ounce Chakote at 4.30 a.m. in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital maternity unit.

Mr. Wainwright said: "They are both fine -- they're in perfect condition and just resting now.'' But neither Ms Basden or the baby were up to having their photograph taken yesterday.

The hospital maternity unit's second arrival clocked in at 11.15 a.m. -- 9 pound Amelia to parents Janet and Stephen Irvine. Mr. Irvine said Amelia had kept them hanging on -- she was more than two weeks' late.

He added: "If anything, she should have been a Christmas baby. She was due on December 17.

But Scots-born Mr. Irvine said he was delighted to have a child born on New Year's Day -- known as Ne'erday in Scotland. Hogmanay -- the Scots New Year's Eve -- is traditionally the biggest celebration in the country's calendar.

1997 Babies He said: It was unbelievable. I couldn't have asked for anthying better.,'' And the Cafe Lido waiter said it was a festive sweep for the Little Venice Group -- a friend who works for the chain became a father on Christmas Day.

Last but not least of the New Year arrivals was little Aswan Broadbelt. The baby boy, son of Tamisha Williams and Sonjhai Broadbelt, weighed in at seven pounds, 2.5 ounces at 1 p.m.

Ms Williams and Aswan were doing well yesterday, a hospital spokesman said yesterday.