As the parents of twins, Bethany and Daniel Blake had already experienced a statistically less likely birth.

But now they have also welcomed a new baby daughter with the most uncommon of birthdays too.

Baby Hallie, who was born at 2am on February 29, will not celebrate her first birthday until she is four years old.

Eastern Daily Press:

She was one of five 'leaplings' born at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital this year - a birthday shared by just 0.1pc of the world's population.

Mrs Blake, of Tunstead, said: "I wasn't sure about the prospect of having a leap day baby, but I think it is quite cool and different."

Meanwhile, Suffolk couple Carolina and Will Masters welcomed the hospital's first leapling of 2024, born just minutes into February 29, weighing 8lb 2oz.

Eastern Daily Press:

Had Sofia been born just 12 minutes earlier, on her due date, she would get a birthday every year - arriving at 12.11am.

But Mr Masters, who described the hospital's team as "amazing" said they would likely celebrate on March 1 on non-leap years.

Five leaplings were also born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press:

The first was a baby girl called Paedru, who was born at 3.01am, weighing 6lb and 1oz.

The second arrival was 7lb 4oz Donny Zipfell, born to mum Sophie Reeves at 9.43am, while the third was Edie Mitchell, who was born at 1.05pm weighing 8lb 5oz.

Edie's arrival made 36-year-old Natalie Francis, from Wisbech, a proud mum-of-five.

Eastern Daily Press:

Michaela Cullen, deputy ward manager on the QEH's maternity ward said: "It has been wonderful to welcome these babies on leap day. It is a very special day that only comes around once every for years."

Meanwhile, there were three babies in total born at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.