Little Charlotte Mayor is to celebrate her first birthday later this month - even though she will be four years of age.

For Charlotte, of Witham, is one of 1,800 babies born in Great Britain on February 29, 1996, the last leap year of the 20th century.

And it's thanks to her big sisters, Rhyanne, 11, and Alena-Jane, ten, that Charlotte will be guest of honour at a birthday bash to remember at the Millennium Dome organised by the Sun newspaper.

Their mother Georgenna explained Charlotte's sisters had written to the national newspaper asking if there were any plans to for a special party for leap year babies.

She said:"They had seen a lot on TV about parties, but no-one had mentioned leap year babies who would be having their very first proper birthday. They also suggested that if the Sun included some of the supermarkets it would not cost much to put on a party.

"They did not hear anything and thought nothing would happen, but the Sun phoned me just before Christmas saying what they intended to do and I kept it as a surprise, telling them all on Christmas Day. They were thrilled.

"All the family is going to the Dome and we are going to be guests of honour. Charlotte is really excited."

Charlotte, who also has a brother Jonathon, 13, had celebrated her previous birthdays on March 1, St David's Day, as she was born in Newport, South Wales.

The family now live at Osbert Street in the Essex town.

The party, for which Dome sponsor Marks and Spencer has agreed to donate food, has places for only 50, so it's first come first served.

Charlotte with mother Georgenna

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