A teenage couple from Basildon are thought to be the country's youngest parents to have had a millennium baby.

Seventeen-year-old Diane Monahan became a mum for the first time when she gave birth to bouncing baby Brooke as her friends were still busy partying and welcoming in the new century.

Brooke arrived at Basildon Hospital's maternity unit at 4.18am on New Year's Day. She was ten days early.

Supported by proud dad Carl Dayment, also 17, the couple are believed to be the youngest to have welcomed a new arrival as the rest of the world was busy welcoming in the new millennium.

Mum Diane, of Dover Way, Pitsea, said the achievement was the last thing on her mind as she went into the last hours of her pregnancy.

While the rest of her teenage friends were out having a night to remember, she was struggling through a nine-hour labour.

Diane, a former Chalvedon School pupil, said: "We were surprised but it's brilliant.

"All through the pregnancy I had the feeling I would have a millennium baby. This was much better than going out partying."

Boyfriend Carl said: "Its not really all sunk in yet - it feels a bit weird."

Although younger mums have given birth, it is thought the pair's combined age makes them the country's youngest millennium parents. The couple rang a national newspaper after suspecting they had a claim to fame.

Picture, top: Special delivery - young parents Diane Monahan and Carl Dayment with their new baby daughter Brooke.

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