On the busiest night of the year, pub landlord Richard Blackwell suffered a case of divided loyalties.
A series of mad dashes between the Black Buoy pub in Wivenhoe and Colchester General Hospital's maternity ward culminated in the arrival of his baby daughter.
Proud mum - Jane Blackwell with daughter Emily Picture: STEVE ARGENT
After intermittently helping his customers see in the New Year, he managed to make his final trip in time to see wife Jane give birth to baby Emily.
The 7lb 3oz girl was born at 2.45am - the second baby to arrive on New Year's Day.
Mrs Blackwell, 33, said: "Richard had to keep coming and going. It was touch and go but he got here for the birth."
Emily is the couple's second child and her ten-year-old brother Miles can't wait to meet her.
Mrs Blackwell said: "It's fantastic. Miles is looking forward to meeting his new sister."
The New Year's first arrival to Colchester clocked in at 2.25am.
A 7lb 8oz baby boy was born to Julietta Alves-Matias Neto and Antonio Neto, of Greenstead, Colchester.
The couple are to name their new son Richard.
Published Thursday, January 2, 2003
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