MILLION-to-one sisters Marie and Sarah Whittle (pictured) are celebrating their birthdays today, after waiting four years.

The special sisters, of Station Road, Huncoat, share a leap year birthday after both being born on February 29.

Marie, 16, and Sarah, 12, who both attend Mount Carmel High School, Accrington, usually have to celebrate on March 1.

As well as having a birthday party with Sarah today, Marie will celebrate by having a party for her friends on Saturday.

Both girls were exactly the same weight - 5lbs - when they were born.

To add to the similarities, Sarah was born at 3.15 in the afternoon and Marie 3.15 in the morning.

The girls live with their dad Dean, a former kick-boxing champion, step-mum Ann, brother Dean, 14, sister Ruth, 10, step-brothers Lee Entwistle, 12, David, 11, and Abbie Louise, eight.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.