A SISTER and brother who married weeks apart are now celebrating the birth of babies within hours of each other.

Deborah Taylor introduced her brother David Brittle, 24, to her friend Samantha five years ago.

The couple married in September 2001, nine weeks after Deborah, 26, tied the knot with fiance Eddie, 30.

The double celebrations continued in Darlington last week with the birth of two babies - Liam and Adam - within 24 hours of each other at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Samantha, who is Liam's mother, said: "Deborah gave birth to Adam, her second son, three days late on Thursday at 5.25am and I gave birth on Friday at 3.37am.

"We went to visit Deborah and Eddie at home as soon as she was discharged from hospital - and when we left we went straight to hospital because I had gone into labour."

At the hospital, David and Deborah's parents, Graham and Avril Brittle, celebrated becoming grandparents twice in as many days.

Samantha, 29, said: "We had the same bed in the post-natal ward and the same set of visitors as well. It must have been deja vu for the staff."

The young cousins are destined to remain close after their unusual start in life.

Samantha said: "We are a close family. Birthdays are going to be really special and I am sure there'll be some joint parties over the years."