A 12 year-old Swindon girl is celebrating her actual birthday for only the third time.

Because Lauren Penney was born on February 29, 2012 she and her family normally celebrate her across two days - February 28 and March 1.

This year they have the opportunity to celebrate it on the big day itself for the first time since 2020 - just before the pandemic.

Lauren will celebrate her birthday with frog jelly sweets at school and a meal at YoSushi in the evening with her family.

Lauren’s mother, Anna, 40 explained that on her last birthday she didn’t quite understand how special it is but this year she is ”mega excited” to be able to celebrate her birthday on the actual day.

At the weekend Lauren will have an ice-skating party with lots of her new friends that Anna says she made during her smooth transition to secondary school

Anna said: “There aren’t many people who on their third birthday who go to secondary school and have sushi.

“It is quite nice to have a daughter turning three when she is all grown up!

“We are all really excited and looking forward to and it is nice to celebrate it on the right day for once.”