Little Sophia Francesca Palermo was determined to make her mark as the first baby of 2012 and made her mum and dad proud new parents just after midnight.

She was due on January 3 but made a welcome early arrival for parents Jenny and David, from Handforth.

She was born weighing  7lbs 15oz at 12.16am on New Year’s Day,  the first baby of the year at Macclesfield Hospital.

She is Jenny and David’s first baby and is home now on Heatley Way.

Jenny, 28,  who works for Carecall, a 24-hour response service for vulnerable people in Stockport, says she hopes Sophia is a sign of good luck for the New Year.

She said: “Sophia is our first baby so it’s all very new and exciting.

“It’s a strange feeling, we’ve suddenly got another human being to look after and it’s hard to describe.

“She was early so it was a nice surprise and she made her entrance as the first baby on the ward. She is the perfect way to start the year and let’s hope it’s going to be a good 2012.”

David, 29, who has worked at the Information Commissioner’s Office in Wilmslow for 10 years, was friends with Jenny’s former boss at the Hilton at Manchester Airport and they met at her leaving party.

They  married two years ago at The Deanwater Hotel.

David was born in England and grew up in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, but his dad’s Sicilian roots have given Sophia her distinctive surname and looks.

Jenny said: “She certainly has very dark hair.  She is beautiful.”

Her  parents say there will be no excuse not to celebrate Sophia’s birthday on the party night of the year. Jenny said:  “Her birthdays will always clash with New Year but it will be a double celebration.

“We are both very proud.”