Tiny Thomas is a first foot for New Year

EDINBURGH'S first baby of 2011 was delivered in dramatic circumstances when doctors had to perform an emergency Caesarean to prevent a breech birth.

Little Thomas Bell was coming into the world the wrong way round and two weeks' premature at 4.16am on New Year's Day when doctors elected for surgery.

Mum Pauline said the baby's foot was already showing when she arrived at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary just two hours before her son was born.

Doctors whisked the 33-year-old into theatre and soon presented Mrs Bell and her husband Brian with their impatient newborn.

Speaking from her hospital bed, Mrs Bell said the start of her labour was a New Year's surprise.

"He was not due until the 16th so it was a wee bit of a shock," she said.

"By the time we had even got to the hospital his foot was coming out and doctors knew it was a breech birth and wanted to do a Caesarean section."

She added: "It was a relief when it was all over."

Mrs Bell said all the ERI staff had been fantastic.

Tiny Thomas is expected to be welcomed at the family's Broomhill home by older brother Noah, 9, and step-brother Ewan, 9, within the next few days.