There was a bumper crop of Leap Day babies born at Tunbridge Wells Hospital yesterday.

In total 18 babies made their first appearance in the world on February 29, meaning their proud mums and dads will have to wait four years before they can celebrate their child's first birthday.

Among the happy parents were Chris and Laura Grover, whose baby Sadie Lilly entered this world at 5.39am, weighing 9lb 3oz.

Mr Grover, 43, and Mrs Grover, 37, both work in banking and live in Sevenoaks. Sadie is their first child. Mr Grover said: "It's strange because we had decided on Sadie as a name for our daughter some time ago, only to discover that Sadie is the most popular name for girls born on a Leap Day."

The popularity comes from America where February 29 is known as Sadie Hawkins Day, after a cartoon character from a 1930s comic called Li'l Abner. In it, instead of waiting for a proposal, Sadie Hawkins sets out to catch a husband for herself.

Dad Nikolay Yordanov and his partner Petya Drandarska welcomed the arrival of son Nikol later at 5.37pm. Nikol weighed 7lb 9oz.

Demi Phipps and Ben Chapman were also delighted at the birth of their daughter Everleigh-Mai who arrived at 7.23pm, weighing 8lb14oz.

Ben and Lois Pettit saw their son Ronnie born at 8.30am. He weighed 8lb 3oz. Ronnie already has two sisters. Mr Petitt, 31, is with the Army in 36 Engineer Regiment and he and Mrs Petit, 35, live at Invicta Barracks in Maidstone. He said: "It's awesome having a Leap Day baby, but a bit confusing to decide when to celebrate his birthdays. We've decided we are going to go with March 1."

Ryan and Georgia Gorman also welcomed a son, Frankie, born at 1.52pm and weighing 9lb 2oz. Frankie is a first child for lorry driver Mr Gorman, 27, and Mrs Gorman, 23, a car service advisor. Mr Gorman said: "It's amazing. The thing is the baby was two weeks late. Georgia had said 'I bet he doesn't arrive till Leap Day' - and she was right!"

"I just knew she would arrive on Leap Day..."

Danielle Cumberworth and her partner John Logan became parents to their son Fraser at 6.52pm. He weighed 6lb 11 oz and is a brother to seven-year-old Grace, also pictured. Miss Cumberworth, 30, and Mr Logan, 37, from Tonbridge, are delighted with their new arrival. Miss Cumberworth said: "He's brilliant! And he's slept most of the time so far."

Billy Harty and his partner Shelley Metland are now the delighted parents of a daughter, Billie, who appeared at 4.27pm and weighed 7lb exactly. Billie is the first child for quantity surveyor Mr Harty, 30, although Shelley, 31, has two daughters from a previous relationship - Rosie, three, and Natalie, nine. The family live in Ditton.

Lauren Draper and her husband Richard were over the moon with their daughter Rosella, born at 4.20pm and weighing 8lb and 7oz.

The other mums and dads were resting when our photographer called.

Meanwhile, the midwives at Maidstone Hospital's Birthing Centre had a much quieter day - there was just one baby born.

Mum Erin Fridja from Sissinghurst and her husband Ben have not yet decided on a name for their daughter, born at 2.28pm, weighing 6lb 3oz. She will be a sister to their first child, two-year-old Georgette.

Mrs Fridja said: "My due date was March 5, but I just knew she would arrive on Leap Day. I told all my friends so in advance."

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells