PROUD parents can now stock up on nappies and register the birth of their little bundles of joy at the same time - thanks to Asda in York.

The Monks Cross store, opened its doors this morning as the first supermarket register office in the country.

Parents can simply make an appointment with the City of York Council Births Registration Service that can register up to ten births a day.

First in the queue today were Tracey and Richard Sutton, of York, who registered the birth of their daughter, Holly Paige.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," said Mr Sutton, whose wife discovered she was pregnant in the store's cloakroom after using a pregnancy testing kit.

"It's parent and child-friendly and there's nothing stopping you stocking up on sterilising fluid and nappies after you've finished."

Superintendent registrar Robert Livesey said choosing Asda made perfect sense, as the existing register office, in Bootham, was old and not pushchair friendly.

The only person slightly worried about the new service is general store manager, Paul Williamson.

"The only thing I'm worried about is if I ever get asked to change a nappy I'm afraid I wouldn't know my Terry from my disposable," he said.

Updated: 12:32 Tuesday, November 12, 2002