Silver gift for Ludlow baby Elsie

Elsie May Millichamp was born weighing 9lbs 1oz at about 1.50pm on January 14 to parents Paul Round and Susan Millichamp, who run the Pitter Patter children's shoe shop in the Buttercross, Ludlow.

Susan, 38, said: "She's the first baby to be born in Ludlow hospital this year. We didn't expect it at all, she was due on the 10th and we knew we'd missed Christmas and New Year. I've always wanted to have one of mine born here – I was born here myself."

Each year the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends give a silver spoon to the hospital's first baby, a tradition started by life-long president Howard Watkins, who died last year.

Peter Corfield, chairman of the League of Friends, said: "It was one of the things that he always seemed to do, lost in the mists of time – and we're carrying on that tradition.

"There were some births planned around New Year, but they had to be rushed off to Shrewsbury."

The same almost happened to Elsie, but it wasn't until after she was born that she was taken to Shrewsbury due to complications.

Susan said: "Obviously I was very worried and scared as her brother went through a traumatic time with a brain haemorrhage when he was born. But we knew she was in good hands and the Ludlow team were absolutely brilliant."

The couple, who live in Silvington near Cleobury Mortimer, have been together for three years and Elsie is their first child as a couple.

They both have two children from previous relationships.

Paul, 35, who is a driving instructor, said: "We're very honoured and very surprised but I'm sure Elsie's going to treasure it as she gets older."

Susan said the spoon had made Elsie's arrival even more special. "She's famous already."