THE first baby of the year born at Ludlow Maternity Hospital completed a family triple.

She arrived at 6.45am on Sunday, January 3.

Willow Winnie Harris, a sister to Ava, weighed in at 9lb 1oz.

Mum Sasha was determined that she would have her baby at Ludlow.

“I was born in this Unit, as was Ava and my mum, so there is a long tradition in our family,” she said.

“It is a really nice place to enjoy one of life’s miracles and the staff here do a wonderful job.”

Sasha and Willow have been presented with an antique silver spoon by Chairman of the League of Friends, Peter Corfield, to mark the arrival of the first Ludlow-born of 2016.

“This tradition was introduced many years ago by our late President, Howard Watkins and this year’s spoon was manufactured in Sheffield in 1894 by Charles William Fletcher,” said Peter Corfield.

“We believe that the Maternity Unit in Ludlow is an asset to our rural community and we hope that the ultrasound equipment that The League has purchased will be used for obstetric pre-natal care.

“There are also plans for re-modelling the birthing suite, including a birthing pool, which the League will provide.”