if there would be a Christmas baby for the year 2000 on Monday.

But with the arrival of Joshua Charles Boulton at 6.38 p.m., there was a sigh of relief when he became the only baby born on December 25 this year.

Joshua's English parents, Louise and Charles, called him the "biggest and best Christmas present'' they could ever have received.

Louise is a teacher in the Montessori Academy and Charles works in the Bank of Bermuda's private clients division.

The Middle Road, Southampton couple's first child, Joshua weighed seven pounds, ten ounces and was resting comfortably late yesterday.

"What are you going to be when you grow up?'' Mr. Boulton asked the little bundle of joy yesterday.

"Or are you just going to blow bubbles, little one?'' he added with a broad smile, before looking up and saying: "Just what I wanted, a son -- he's finally here!'' Mrs. Boulton was equally happy -- and more relieved after what she called a "not too bad'' labour.

"One thing I would like to say is that the nurses were absolutely fantastic,'' she said. "The midwife Tracy Berrell and nurse Jane Christie were just great. Very supportive.''