BUNDLES of little joy born in Colchester General Hospital yesterday have the most unusual birthday in the calendar.

The babies all managed to time their arrivals for Leap Day - which only falls once every four years when there is a February 29.

The first to arrive was Quinn Overton who was delivered safe and well at 3.57am, a little early at 36 weeks.

Mum and dad Lauren and Dan Overton, of Highwoods, Colchester, said he would be a welcome addition to the family for siblings Jaiden, six, and Elise, four.

Lauren, 26, said: "There was one born at five to 12 but he was the first to arrive today.

"I wanted to know throughout labour if he would be the first."

Quinn weighed 5lbs,3ozs and his parents have not yet decided when his birthday will be celebrated when it is a not a Leap Year - on either February 28 or March 1.

But lucky Freddie Parkin can look forward to two birthdays three years out of four.

His proud parents Emma Bavister, 27, and Billy Parkin, 29, said that's how they'd celebrate his unusual birth date.

Freddie arrived at 7.24am yesterday - five days late and weighing 7lbs, 4ozs.

His arrival was a welcome relief to his parents who live in Muscade Close, Tiptree, after Emma had been in labour for three days.

Freddie is their first child.

Caroline Wright, 33, and Russell Thorne, 32, knew little Theo Thorne was going to arrive on February 29.

His mum was booked in for a caesarean section due to a complicated pregnancy.

Theo was born at 10.08am weighing 8lbs,11ozs - a couple of pounds bigger than his parents, who live in Clacton, had expected.

Caroline, who is also mum to Toby, two, said: "We will probably celebrate his birthday the day before.

"I am relieved and happy."