THE birth of a baby is a momentous occasion for all new parents, but for Chris and Elisa Aktas, the arrival of their son Hasan was extra special.

The North-East couple did not expect to be in the same country for the event, never mind the same room, after Chris, who is originally from Turkey, was twice refused entry to the UK.

In April, the 28-year-old former waiter was finally granted a visa and the pair were reunited after six months apart.

Baby Hasan, weighing 5lb 15oz, was born at Darlington Memorial Hospital on May 22 - with his father close at hand.

"When Chris got turned down for a visa the second time, I honestly didn't think he would be here for the birth," said Mrs Aktas, 24, a care assistant.

"It was nice to have him there although he was a bit nervous about going in, as in Turkey the men stay out of the room.

"But he did come in and I had my friend, Carol, on the other side of the bed."

The couple, who live on Darlington's Firthmoor estate, met when their families became friends on holiday, and married last year.

Mr Aktas, who works at Rothmans cigarette factory in the town, was twice told he could not enter Britain and Mrs Aktas was warned by her doctor not to fly, so the pair were apart during most of her pregnancy.

"I'm just so happy to be here now," said Mr Aktas. "I'm still getting used to Darlington and the weather, but I like it a lot."

The couple plan to take their son to see his Turkish grandparents, in Izmir, in September.

"Chris's mum and dad heard him crying for the first time over the phone today," said Mrs Aktas. "It's their first grandchild and they can't wait to see him."