Two sisters traded places at a hospital's maternity suite when one was wheeled out after giving birth and the other was wheeled in to give birth.

Rhiannon Perllman, 23, and sister Natalie Perllman, 27, were supposed to give birth to their children more than a month apart.

But Natalie's twins Finlaye and Riley were born at 9.50am and 10.14am respectively on March 17, nearly four weeks early, while Rhiannon's daughter Ellen was born just after midday the following day, 10 days late.

Ellen weighed in at 6lbs 10 oz. while Finlaye weighed 5lbs 3oz. and Riley 5lbs 11oz.

It meant that Natalie, from Stacy Road, north Norwich, was being wheeled out of the suite at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, while Rhiannon, from Holly Court, Wymondham, was being wheeled in.

Neither was, however, in much of a state at the time to exchange pleasantries as they passed by each other.

But both sisters are now very pleased that their children were born just a day apart over the weekend of March 17/18.

Natalie said: 'All the family are already talking about how we are going to celebrate their 18th birthdays, and it will be great for family get-togethers, as the children are virtually the same age. We cannot wait for family barbecues.'

She added: 'It was a really special weekend and we wanted to record it by having our pictures in the paper.'

Natalie spent seven days in hospital after giving birth and Rhiannon three days, so their time overlapped, and the sisters were able to enjoy each other's company for a while together in the hospital's Blakeney ward. Natalie's partner, Charles Moore, 28 on Monday, said: 'It just seems really bizarre. None of it was pre-planned.

'But we would like to thank the staff at the hospital who were amazing. They were a credit to the NHS and to humanity.'

The women's father, Steve Perllman, from Wymondham, added: 'It was quite a coincidence.'

The family already has a bit of a history of babies being born in the same month or on the same day.

The sisters' brother Matthew and other sister Eleanor were both born on April 3, but nine years apart, while their other sister Lydia turned 18 on March 10.

Natalie and Rhiannon, who already has one child Lilly, four, with partner Liam Martin, were also both born in December, Natalie on the 18th and Rhiannon on the sixth.

Has your family recently celebrated an unusual coincidence? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.