Pictures: Leap day delight as 14 tiny tots arrive in Shropshire

Fourteen mums in the county gave birth on February 29, hospital bosses have revealed, meaning the new-born nippers were born on a leap day.

A total of 10 babies were born at the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on Monday.

A further four were born at Shropshire's midwife-led units which can be found in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry.

Every leap year an extra day is added to the calendar on February 29, to make up for the shortfall created because a year does not precisely tally with the length of time that it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun.

This means babies born on this leap day, who are known as 'leaplings', only get a birthday every four years.

So those who arrived in the world on Monday will not celebrate on their actual birthday until 2020.

The chance of being born on a leap day is one in 1,461, and there are estimated to be about five million leaplings around the world.

For centuries, astrologers believed children born on leap day had unusual talents, unique personalities and even special powers.

Anthea Gregory-Page, acting head of midwifery at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: "A leap day birth is extra special as it only happens once every four years.

"We welcomed 14 babies into the world at our maternity and midwife-led units on Monday.

"Parents have been really happy and cheerful and have been planning which day they are going to celebrate their newborn's birthday.

"Several are planning big parties every four years."

Among those who gave birth to little leaplings was Amy Richards, from Shrewsbury.

The 21-year-old gave birth to Jack on the delivery suite in Shropshire Women and Children's Centre in Telford at 2.03pm. It is the first baby for Amy and her partner Matt Mills, also 21.

Matt said: "It makes it even more special that Jack was born on leap day. We'll celebrate his birthday each year on February 28 and March 1."

Natalie Taylor, aged 26 and from Broseley, gave birth to Reece Jones at 12.38pm. Reece is the first child for Natalie and her partner Richard Jones.

Natalie said: "It's been a really special day. We'll celebrate Reece's birthday on February 28."

Rebecca Wakeman and Austin Hayward welcomed their first child into the world at 3.32am.

Rebecca, 23, and Austin, 27, said that they will celebrate Jenson's birthday on February 28.

Rebecca, from Hadley in Telford, said: "It's been a really memorable day."

In Hong Kong the legal birthday of a leapling is defined as March 1 in normal years, while in New Zealand it is February 28.

However, there are no set rules on when to celebrate if you are a leap day baby in the UK.

The extra day is added to February as it is the shortest month of the year and so the leap day is on February 29.

So in four years' time these youngsters will be able to celebrate getting another year older on their birthday for the first time.