THIS WEEK IN 1997: Baby Spice is music to ears of islanders

At the rate it was going, it would be well into the 21st century before Portsmouth had a full set of five.

For little Olivia Borthwick was believed to be the only second bonafide Spice Girl born in the previous 30 years.

In the close-knit community of Spice Island, Old Portsmouth, most people kept up with their neighbours' affairs.

And when a child was born it was bound to set tongues wagging.

Olivia's birth raised the question of when the last time a girl was born on the island. There were very few young couples in the community '“ one of Portsmouth's most historic areas.

Peter Stewart, the chairman of the Spice Island Association, said he believed his daughter Elizabeth '“ who was 32  and living in London '“ was the last girl born in the area.

A moderately in-depth investigation by The News revealed there had been a more recent birth on the island, but Gulliver Trim, the 15-month-old son of restaurant owner Chris Trim, hardly threatened Olivia's spicy title.