Meet adorable little Martha - the first Hartlepool baby to be born in 2020

Martha Kathleen Young was born at the University Hospital of North Tees at 3.11am on January 1, weighing 8lb 9oz.

Delighted parents Dawn and Jonathan Young said they were ‘over the moon’ with the arrival of their first daughter, who now completes their family of six.

Little Martha will now return to her home in Bishop Cuthbert with her parents and big brothers Lucas, 11, Quill, four, and Miles, one.

And mum Dawn said her daughter’s middle name is particularly poignant for the family, as Kathleen was the name of the children’s late grandmother who sadly lost her fight with cancer – just weeks before Martha was born.

The much-loved grandmother was known to be a fit and active woman who enjoyed yoga. She had undergone chemotherapy treatment but lost her battle aged just 71.

Parents Dawn and Jonathon said they have given their daughter the middle name of Kathleen as a tribute to her grandmother.

Dawn said: “We are over the moon.

“We have three boys so our family is now finished with our little girl.

“We have named her Martha Kathleen Young because her nana was called Kathleen Young and she passed away on December 4 with cancer.

“Her goal was to get to Christmas because she wanted to be able to meet the baby.

“She went through chemotherapy to slow it down, but she sadly passed away before she was able to.

“So we decided to have her name as Martha’s middle name.”

Dawn, 31, a learning support assistant at Middlesbrough College, said that despite a traumatic delivery, the pregnancy had been fine and they are both doing well.

Speaking from hospital before the family returned home, the delighted mum continued: “Martha was the second to be born in the hospital after midnight on New Year’s Day so it was extra special.

“Our family is now completed.

“It is a lovely start to the New Year.”