THE mum of a brother and sister born on the same day - despite being conceived three weeks apart - says her babies are "little miracles".

Charlotte Mullineux, 28, from Benfleet, was seven weeks pregnant when she went to hospital, believing she had suffered a miscarriage.

What doctors found was the first of a few surprises in store for her over the next few weeks.

Mrs Mullineux was told she had been pregnant with twins and had lost one. Then she was told a million-to-one medical occurence meant she would still have two babies.

She said: "I just thought I was having one baby. I thought I was miscarrying that one and went to hospital to have it confirmed. Then they said I was losing one but keeping the other.

"I was a bit upset and shocked but, at the same time, I was happy because I would have one healthy baby.

"Then they said there was another blip on the screen and I had to come back, so they could make sure everything was OK.

"When I went back two weeks later, they told me the blip had grown into a baby and I was expecting two babies again. I was really excited."

Doctors told Mrs Mullineux and husband Matt, 38, the youngest baby, a girl, had been conceived three weeks after twins, as their mum had continued to ovulate despite being pregnant.

It meant the pregnancy was far from easy. Mrs Mullineux started having contractions at 27 weeks, requiring her to be carefully monitored and given drugs to delay labour.

She said: "Just before 33 weeks, my waters broke and I had to have a Caesarean to get Thomas out, because Harriet was wrapped around him."

Thomas and Harriet were born within a minute of each other last May in Southend Hospital.

They are the newest additions to the family, which also includes two-year-old James.

Mrs Mullineux said: "They are both doing really well. James has been brilliant - he's marvellous with them.

"He gives them toys and is very patient with me when I have to feed them. I just think I'm so lucky. They're like my little miracles."