NEWBORN Ella Maggie Akpan is a very special baby - born on 01/01/10.

Ella came into the world at 6.50am on New Year's Day in the Alexander Birthing Centre at Watford Hospital.

She is the first child of proud parents Elaine and Frank Akpan who live in Napsbury Park, St Albans.

Elaine, 33, who works in communications, went into hospital at 3.30pm on New Year's Eve and while it was a long labour, Ella was born naturally, weighing a very healthy 7lb 8oz.

The new family was home by the evening of New Year's Day where Elaine has had plenty of help from Frank, 47, who works for a finance company, her mother and sister. The couple moved to Napsbury Park from London five years ago.

Elaine paid tribute to the treatment she received in hospital: "The care of the midwives in Watford was incredible. They are really special people."

And she was just as effusive about her new baby daughter. "She is fantastic, an absolute angel. She is feeding well, has a great appetite and a full head of hair.