Twin girls born 10 seconds apart

Two babies have become the first twins in Britain to be born at the same minute and weighing exactly the same.

Sisters Nicole and Sophie Down were born 10 seconds apart at the same official time of 4.31pm on June 11 this year at The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Their 22-year-old mother Samantha Heal, from Exeter, said the twins born by Caesarian section both weighed 5lb 11oz.

She said: "I am really excited, it makes them even more special."

A Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust spokeswoman said: "As far as we are aware this is the first time twins have been born within the same minute in the care of the Royal Devon and Exeter maternity service."

A spokesman for Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, said it is rare but not unheard of for twins to be born at the same time.

He said: "Usually twins born by Caesarian section are around two minutes apart. To be born at the same time does not happen often."

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