Four babies made their first appearance into the world on this year’s leap day at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The four babies born at the Brighton hospital were among two dozen to be born on February 29 across the local NHS trust.

The odds of babies, known as “leaplings” born on this day, are one in 1,461, making it a very special day for those born on February 29.

One of the new arrivals in Brighton was baby girl Serena, born at 9.34am at 5lb 5oz.

The Argus: Serena, one of the four Brighton babies born on February 29Serena, one of the four Brighton babies born on February 29 (Image: UHSussex)

Her parents, Mirabella Ciobanu and partner Samir, plan to celebrate her first birthday next year as part of a two-day bonanza from February 28 to March 1.

In Worthing, parents Katie Edge and partner Luke welcomed baby girl Dottie into the world at 6.13am, weighing 6lb 1oz.

Katie said that she did consider that a leap day birth could be on the cards.

She said: “We did joke about it after we found out my due date was March 1.”

The Argus: Dottie, one of the February 29 babies born in WorthingDottie, one of the February 29 babies born in Worthing (Image: UHSussex)

The pair said they were pleased about their baby girl’s leap day birthday, as it meant she would always have something unique about her.

Altogether, 11 baby boys and 13 baby girls were welcomed on February 29 at hospitals run by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.