A COUPLE has celebrated the new year with the arrival of a bouncing baby boy.

Clare Smith, 29, and her husband Dean, 35, became parents to 8lb baby Harrison at 2.30am on January 1.

Harrison was delivered two weeks early at Queen Mary's Hospital, Frognal Avenue, Sidcup.

The birth was more special for the Smiths, of Stanmore Road, Belvedere, as their son shares a birthday with Clare's grandmother, who died nine years ago.

Mrs Smith said: "I just couldn't believe it. I feel like my nan's spirit is living on in my baby boy and she's looking down on me."