A NEW Year's Eve party at a pub took on a whole new meaning thanks to tiny bundle of joy Conor David Kerrigan.

Blond-haired Conor caused a stir at the Blackamoor Inn, Roman Road, Blackburn, when he arrived in double-quick time just after the clocks struck midnight.

Dad David Kerrigan had just been sent home from the Maternity Unit at Queen's Park Hospital, where pregnant wife Kimberley was undergoing routine tests for high blood pressure.

But no sooner had he lined up a pint at his local where he was planning to see in the New Year with his parents, Maureen and Tom, when hospital staff rang to say he had better return - quickly!

Landlord Dennis Sturgess drove the frantic dad to hospital in his car just in time for the arrival of 7lb 2oz Conor two days before schedule shortly before 1am.

Revellers at the pub toasted the arrival of Blackburn's first New Year baby with Maureen and Tom. Kimberley, 24, said: "I was only in hospital for observation and sent David home to have a New Year's Eve drink with his parents who were over from Ireland.

"But no sooner had he gone than I went into labour and had to get him back. Conor is healthy, sleeping and eating well, and we are delighted."

Conor is the couple's first child and his delighted dad, a production worker at Rectella, said he was over the moon.

A spokesman at the Blackamoor Inn said New Year's Eve partygoers at the pub had been "on pins" waiting for news of the birth.

"When news came we had a few drinks to wet the baby's head. We are thrilled to bits," she said.

Other New Year babies born at Queen's Park included Chloe Louise, born to civil servant Sarah Whittle and press operator Philip Young, of Cavendish Street, Darwen and Jordan Alexander whose delighted mum Karen Barratt lives at Vale Court, Huncoat.

Julie Charnley, Janet Mason and Rebecca Williams, all of Blackburn, all gave birth to baby girls during the day.

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