THE FIRST baby born in Gloucestershire in 2014 belongs to proud parents from Dursley.

Blake Ball was born at 12.53am at Stroud General Hospital on January 1, weighing in at 6lbs and 8 ounces, making him the first baby in the county for the New Year.

Couple Danny Ball, 22 and 19-year-old Georgina Hughes from Kingsway, were surprised to have reached the milestone after he was born two days later than expected.

Mr Ball, an apprentice with Gloucestershire Highways, told the Gazette he was very proud and said that Georgina was doing well and they expected to be home later today.

“I was shocked that he was the first baby because it is quite a small hospital here in Stroud and I thought the bigger ones in the county would have had one before,” he said.

“We’re very happy. It’s an exciting time.”

Grandfather Shaun Ball, 44, from Woodmancote said that he discovered that the same midwife who delivered his son, Danny, was the same one who delivered his grandson.