Proud parents welcomed their precious bundles of joy into the world yesterday who will forevermore share the rarest and most unique birthday.

The arrival of leap day babies has been marked at Sunderland Royal Hospital who helped deliver four little ones into the world on a day that only comes around every four years.

2024 is a leap year, meaning that February has 29 days instead of 28, as occurs every four years.

Even though these new arrivals won't celebrate their first proper birthday until 2028, parents couldn't hide their joy as they welcomed the newest members of their families to the world.

Reggie James was the first leap-day baby born at Sunderland Royal. He was born to Kirsty Hind and Darren Cuthbertson, from Easington Village in County Durham at 3:09am.

He was born weighing in at 9lb 4 oz and has three sisters and a brother. Despite being due on February 23, Reggie's late arrival means his birthday will be one to remember.

The Northern Echo: Kirsty Hind and Darren Cuthbertson with Reggie James.Kirsty Hind and Darren Cuthbertson with Reggie James. (Image: SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

The second leap day baby was born just an hour later at 4:15am. 

Amandeep Kaur and Harwinder Singh, from Sunderland, are first-time parents to a little girl. She is 7lb and arrived at 4:15am - just ahead of her March 2 due date.

They're still thinking about what her name will be.

The Northern Echo: Amandeep Kaur and her daughter.Amandeep Kaur and her daughter. (Image: SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

Sunderland parents Emma Loraine and James Poole welcomed their third daughter into the world at 10:01am.

They're still thinking about her name as she joins sisters Luna Isabella, six, and Natalya Louise, 14, and arrived at 10.01am weighing 7lb 8oz.

She was due on Thursday, February 22.

The Northern Echo: James Poole and Emma Loraine with their baby girl.James Poole and Emma Loraine with their baby girl. (Image: SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

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Last but certainly not least was the birth of Brody William Conlin at 12:38pm to first time parents Nina and Jack Conlin of Sunderland.

He weighed in at 8lb 12oz and is now a leap-day baby despite his original due date being February 22.

The Northern Echo: Brody William Conlin.Brody William Conlin. (Image: SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)