DRUNKEN revellers welcoming in 2005 in Worcestershire created a night of havoc for paramedics.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance NHS Trust received 125 emergency calls - at one point at a rate of one every three minutes - from across the county in the early hours of Saturday.

Just 12 crews were on hand to deal with what a spokesperson described as "a real nightmare".

"The first call came in just six minutes after midnight," she added. "Then after that it was non-stop until 3am, gradually petering out to one call every 10 minutes at around 7am.

But staff at the accident and emergency department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital said despite a busy night they were able to cope with the added pressure.

"There is no doubt that it was very busy and there was a large number of intoxicated people but the accident and emergency department was well prepared," said Janet-Marie Clark, spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

"There were extra staff available and they were able to cope."

Insp Keith Williamson, of West Mercia Constabulary, confirmed there were 17 alcohol-related arrests in Worcester between 8.30pm on New Year's Eve and the early hours of New Year's Day, and five drink-drive related incidents.

"It was a busier night than usual and the cells were at full capacity but we were well prepared," he said.

"Uniformed police officers were on reassurance patrol in the city throughout the night to ensure those celebrating could do so free from disorder and crime.

"Despite the vast majority of revellers being good-natured and law-abiding, unfortunately there were still those unable to do so."

It appears the trouble came when partygoers were on their way home as pub and club owners across Worcester described it as a peaceful night.

Jim Anderson, licensee of O'Neill's and Reflex in St Nicholas Street, said there was no trouble at all from the 450 partygoers who welcomed in the New Year in his venue.

"If anything, it was quieter than we would have liked," he said.

At RSVP there was also a well-behaved welcome to 2005.

"It was clean, tidy and there were no broken glasses - it was one of the best New Years I've worked," said assistant manager Jo Perkins.

Stabbing victim in hospital

A MAN is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in Kidderminster.

Police were called to an address in the Spennells area of the town at about 9.15am on New Year's Day after a report of an assault.

They found the 24-year-old with a stab wound to the back.

The man was taken to hospital, although his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

A 25-year-old male and 22-year-old-female at the address were arrested.

The man has been charged with attempted murder and is due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court today.

The woman has been released on police bail.

Fire call

FIREFIGHTERS are investigating the cause of a fire at an address in Morris Road, Broadway, at 6pm on New Year's Eve.

One crew from Broadway and one from Evesham attended the scene after receiving reports of a kitchen fire, but on arrival found a fire in the bedroom.

The fire, which was extinguished by 6.40pm, left the bedroom and first floor landing area severely smoke damaged.

Crashed

A MOTORCYCLIST has been taken to hospital with what are believed to be life-threatening injuries after a collision in Worcestershire yesterday.

The man, believed to be in his late 20s, was taken to Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital by air ambulance with serious head injuries.

The crash happened at about 12.30pm on the A44 in Throckmorton, near Pershore.

There were no other casualties and no other vehicles involved.

George Hemming, the first child of Paula and Louis Hemming from Tennis Walk, Barbourne, surprised everyone when he made an appearance at 12.37am, as he had not been due until January 14. He tipped the scales at 6lb.

"We had decided to stay in and have friends over for New Year but all that changed," said Paula.

"We're chuffed he's been born on New Year's Day - now he can have two consecutive parties every year."

First-time parents Nicola and Andrew Cox from Tenbury welcomed their 7lb 4oz daughter Eleanor into the world

at 7.45am.

"We couldn't have asked for a better way to start the New Year," said the happy mother.

Matthew Harrison was Worcestershire Royal Hospital's first baby of the New Year, at six minutes past midnight.

Parents Natasha Barnes and Gerald Harrison, from Warndon, had been waiting for their 9lb 13oz son since Boxing Day.

"He would have been the last baby of 2004 if he hadn't got stuck," Gerald said.

"We are delighted he waited a few extra minutes."

Other new arrivals included a baby girl for Tracey Hall and partner John, of Droitwich weighing in at 6lb 14oz.

Kidderminster couple Rebecca Pritchard and partner Dean Bower's baby boy arrived at 4pm and weighed 8lb 10oz.

Naza and Ashsaq Ahmed, of Worcester welcomed their baby girl into the world at 8.36am. She weighed 6lb.

Yousef Hassani was delivered at 2.54am, weighing 8lb 1oz.

He proved to be the perfect birthday present for mum Caroline, from Dormston near Inkberrow, as she celebrated her 43rd on New Year's Day.

It had been an anxious night for Yousef's dad Sidi, his six-year-old-sister Elysia Hunt and his eight-year-old brother Fraser Hunt - who told the Evening News he had not been able to sleep as he was so excited about meeting the family's newest addition.