York Hospital had to wait until nearly 3pm on New Year’s Day before its first baby of 2011 made an appearance.

Connor Rhys Johnson came into the world at 2.41pm, much to the relief of his mum, Carly Stephenson, whose contractions first started at 4am the previous day.

Carly, 22, from Selby, said: “I’m exhausted. Yesterday I just wanted it all to be over, but it was worth it. I can’t explain the feeling of holding him for the first time, it’s just amazing.”

Carly and her partner, Matthew Johnson, struck a deal just before her 20-week pregnancy scan that if their baby was a girl, Carly would pick the name, and if it was a boy Matthew would choose.

Matthew, 22, who hopes his son will become a professional footballer, said: “I’m so proud and happy. I’m absolutely over the moon and just glad it went all right.”

But for new dad Marc Greasley, a bout of swine flu meant he is yet to meet his new son, Max, who was born at 3.24pm on New Year’s Day.

Mum Kerry Ellis said: “Marc is towards the end of it now, but we made the decision that he should stay away in case he’s still contagious. He’s devastated. I’ve sent him a photo by phone and when we get home we’re going to get Max on Skype.”

Kerry, 32, from Acomb, in York, said: “My best friend stepped in at the last minute to be with me and she was fantastic because she’s had two kids herself.

“It was just amazing to see Max. As soon as I held him I forgot all about the delivery and fell totally in love.”

Meanwhile, parents Sarah Cowell and Wayne Kitchen almost came to blows over choosing a name for their new baby, Charlotte Esme Cowell-Kitchen.

Sarah, 29, from Acomb, York, joked: “It was only when I was screaming towards the end he said, ‘okay, we can call her Charlotte’. I got my way in the end.”

Wayne, 24, said: “I still think choosing a name is harder than giving birth.”

The fourth baby to be born in 2011 at York Hospital was Charlie Cook-Peters, who arrived at 7.20pm, weighing 5lbs 14oz. His proud parents are Jo Cook and Richard Peters, from Selby.

An hour later, it was the turn of Emma Yates, from Selby, to give birth and meet her son, Declan.