A BABY boy was born outside the Costa Coffee in Worcestershire Royal Hospital yesterday (January 1), marking a dramatic start to 2015 for one couple.

Mother Nicole Mason gave birth to Kian, who weighed 6lbs 5oz, at 7.58am when her labour progressed rapidly before ambulance staff could get her to the maternity unit.

Paramedics however were on-hand to safely deliver the boy, who was the fourth new arrival at the hospital during the morning.

Mrs Mason, of Ronkswood, who has two other sons aged five and two, said: “It was over-whelming, scary and a bit panicky.

“It all happened so quickly and I was thinking ‘am I going to make it?’. None of my other births were that fast.

“But the paramedics were great and Kian arrived smoothly. It all went fine and it was lovely.

“Thankfully there were not a lot of people around at that time so there was a bit of privacy.”

Father Joe Mason, who followed the ambulance to the hospital in a car but arrived too late to witness the birth, said: “It was nerve-racking not knowing what was going on and when I got to the hospital it was a real shock.

“It was quite a relief that Kian arrived safely and we are now just glad that he is here with us.”

Mr Mason added that the delivery, which came five days after the due date of Saturday, December 27, was kicked off by a curry his wife ate the night before.

Another couple celebrated a New Year’s Day to remember at the hospital with the arrival of their first child.

Zoe Large, of St Paul’s, Worcester, gave birth to Annabelle, who weighed just 5lbs 4oz, at 7.24am after being induced.

Her partner AJ Warren, who cut the cord, said witnessing the delivery was “out of this world”.

He added: “Zoe coped amazingly well and the midwives said she was like a pro.

“It was quite an experience and a great feeling.

“I predicted that the birth would take place on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day but I never thought I would be that accurate.

“After being induced the delivery happened very fast so it was a bit of a medical marvel.”

An average of 10 to 12 babies are born at Worcestershire Royal Hospital every day.