Three cheers for new arrivals

A trio of tiny tots born at the Royal Oldham Hospital have left one Rochdale couple thrilled with their new family.

Triplets Elizabeth, Violet and Sophie Caton were born by planned caesarean section, weighing 3lb 5oz, 3lb 8oz and 3lb 15oz respectively.

After years of trying to conceive naturally, parents Cathy Caton, 41 and husband Paul Caton, 30,  underwent a round of IVF in Hungary.

Despite being given only a seven per cent chance of conceiving, the couple were delighted to see three babies at their three-month scan.

Mrs Caton, who also has daughter Samantha, 25, from a previous relationship, said: “Because the chances of conceiving through IVF, coupled with my age, were so low we were hoping for just one but were really shocked and delighted when we saw the triplets.”

Despite a difficult pregnancy, including four weeks of hospital bed rest towards the end, the sisters were born a month premature on 16 February.

After a short spell in intensive care and the special care baby unit, the newborns are now thriving at their Rochdale home.