Baby boom as births rise

THE number of births across the Lothians rose again last year, signalling the return of a baby boom.

Figures have shown there was a two per cent rise last year, taking the total number of new arrivals in the area to more than 9900.

That compares with 9685 in 2009-10 and disproves the theory that the number of births was slipping again after a surge in 2008.

The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary experienced a 4.5 per cent increase in maternity activity last year.