TINY Mischa Dixon became the region’s first New Year’s Day baby when she arrived just seconds into 2013.

New mum Tanya Dixon, 29, of Marske, near Redcar, could hear Big Ben chime midnight on the radio as Mischa was born at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Mrs Dixon, a nurse, gave birth to Mischa – who arrived a month early - via Caesarean Section, and weighed 5lb 9oz.

Proud dad, Ross, a plumber, was at the birth and Micha’s two older siblings, aged six and three, are due to meet their new sister tonight (Tuesday, January 1).

There was early New Year’s Day joy at Darlington Memorial Hospital where Victoria Elizabeth Jayne came into the world at 12.15am – three weeks before her due date.

Her mother, Grace, 38, from Bishop Auckland, said she was looking forward to taking her home with husband David, 46, and their seven-year-old son, also called David.

She revealed Victoria, who Grace named after her mother, was born on what would have been David’s late mother’s birthday.

Grace, who is originally from Glasgow, said: “I’m over the moon, the birth went really well and we are all delighted.

“David is so excited to have a little sister and could not wait to see her.”

Victoria, who weighed 4lb 13oz, was one of four new arrivals during the early hours of New Year’s Day at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Emma Bolger, 28, of Darlington, welcomed Hollie into the world at 1.02am, and Martha Cunningham, 35, and partner John, celebrated the arrival of their little girl, who was born at 1.55am.

The couple, also from Darlington, who have yet to name their child, have two sons, Robert, 16, and Edward, 11, and six-year-old daughter Martha.

Amy Lindsay, 19, from Hurworth, near Darlington, gave birth to 5lb 8oz son Patrick James at 7am.

At James Cook University Hospital, Shannon McCauley, 19, of South Bank, near Middlesbrough, gave birth to her second daughter, Daisee Rae, shortly before 9am with her mother and the baby’s father, Christopher Donnelly, at her side.

Catherine Turnbull, 41, of Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, had her first baby at 2.20am.

Holly was delivered by Caesarean Section, and dad Ian, who works at Fuji in Billingham, said Holly would be welcomed home by older siblings Charles, 13, and five-year-old Elise.

There was drama at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, when another youngster wasted no time in making his New Year’s Day entrance.

Kim Connor went into labour just ten minutes into 2013, and gave birth to Dylan Anthony Hall at 6.45am, who weighed in at 6lb 7oz.

The 24-year-old, who also has a five-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, had made no plans for New Year’s Eve as Dylan was already two days overdue and she had already been in bed for several hours when she first felt his impending arrival.

Mother and baby were both doing well and were expected to go home to Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, to be with Miss Connor’s partner, Darren Hall, today (Tuesday, January 1).

At the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, Vicky Reynolds, 30, of Colburn, near Catterick Garrison, gave birth to a girl, Katie-Sue, who weighed 8lb 2oz, at 6.45am.

Housewife Vicky, who has two other children, had been nine days overdue when he waters broke as she celebrated the new year with her partner, Matthew Bell.

Margarita Cornigenko, of Sowerby, Thirsk, also gave birth to a girl at 3.32am.