It was the most memorable start possible to the new millennium for Jane and Peter Topping.

   Just moments after the chimes of Big Ben ushered in the 21st Century, the Tredegar couple's first child, Jake James, made his dramatic entrance into the world.

   And his arrival at Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital - five minutes into 2000 and a week earlier than expected - makes him Wales first Millennium baby.

   "It's been a really hectic time but it's all been worth it," Mrs Topping, aged 26, of park View, told the Gazette.

   "I went into labour at about midday on New Year's eve, but I never thought for a minute that I might be having a millennium baby.

   "Although the hospital staff were telling me in between pushes that I was either going to have one of the last babies of the 20th Century or one of the first of the 21st, I was just concentrating on delivering him.                                                    

"To be honest I didn't care too much at the time as log as everyone was all right," he said.   "We didn't try for a Millennium baby, so it was a complete shock.   "I just remember looking out of the window at midnight, watching the fireworks go off over Abergavenny - then bang on cue, out he came."

   Jake's debut appearance meant Mr and Mrs Topping had to put on hold their intended Millennium celebrations on ice. "We were going to have a barbecue, and at midnight I planned to let off a two-foot rocket I had got in Bristol - but that's had to be postponed for now," said Mr Topping. When we got home, there were banners and balloons decked everywhere, and all the fuss has been incredible," said Mrs Topping.

   "I cannot believe how laid back Jake is about it all - he has not batted an eye-lid." But  one of the other inhabitants of the Topping home is having a little more trouble adapting.

   "Our pet parrot, Buzzard, is a bit jealous of all the attention Jake is getting, but I'm  sure he'll get used to him soon," said Mr Topping.

   "We are both really chuffed that this has happened, and it will be quite something to tell Jake when he gets a bit older."

Jake Pictured with his mam and Dad in the

"News Of The World"

Jake and mother in the Mirror

Jane Topping giving Jake a kiss in "The Express"