TRIPLETS from Bury have celebrated their 50th birthdays with a combined family party.

Martyn Bell, Caroline Moore and Alison Cooke featured on the front cover of the Bury Times when they were born at Fairfield General Hospital in 1968, just 45 minutes apart.

Their 21st birthdays were also reported by the newspaper. The milestones were covered by the same photographer.

In a collective triplets statement, they said: "We always think about our mum on birthdays — the physical pain of not just the birth but going into hospital three months before and the many visits post birth that went on for years.

"What wasn’t known at the time was mum was suffering major problems with her pancreas which wasn't detected at the time of the pregnancy."

The triplets also have an older sister Janine Bell, who lives in Radcliffe.

Mother Sue Bell said she is often asked how she coped with three babies and a 19-month-old daughter.

She said: "The answer to that is strict routine and hard work."

An X-ray at seven months confirmed Mrs Bell and her late husband Terry Bell were having triplets.

"It was a tremendous shock", Mrs Bell said, "but we worked hard to prepare for their homecoming on Christmas Eve 1968."

At 11.15am on December 8, Caroline was born, weighing in at 5lb 15oz.

Martyn arrived next, at 11.45am, weighing 6lb 120z. He was a breech birth — arriving bottom first — and had to be manoeuvred around for the delivery.

At 12 noon, sister Alison arrived weighing 4lb 8oz. The newborn was kept warm in an incubator because she weighed less than 5lbs.

Caroline and Martyn returned home first with their mother on Christmas Eve, and they were joined by Alison on New Year's Eve.

Mrs Bell, who has recently moved to Alkrington, in Middleton, said: "The days that followed were extremely hectic but we soon got into a routine.

"Raising triplets was not easy. There was never a dull moment and we were never sure what would happen next.

"They were lovely children — well behaved and well balanced. I could take them anywhere and feel proud.

"I look back over the years and wonder how I coped. I could write a book! Like most things in life, nature has a way of helping."

On December 8 this year, the family met in the the Cotswolds for a weekend birthday bash. They also marked the occasion individually with their families.

Mrs Bell, a retired secretary, said: "Celebrating their 50th birthday was a lovely occasion for all the family — the only one sadness was that their dad was not there."

In May 2014, grandfather-of-five Mr Bell suffered a suspected heart attack in the Scottish Highlands — just two days off completing his third Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge.

On June 14 and 15, 2014, son Martyn, who lives in Eagley, Bolton, complete the charity ride off for him to coincide with Father’s Day.

Martyn said: "In his retirement, my father set up a small business called Mercury Performance Coaching, specialising in coaching runners and cyclists, sporting some champion athletes.

"The legacy of this I carried on as a ‘hobby’ coaching and was successful in getting two athletes to an England and GB level."

The triplets grew up in Walshaw Park, before moving to Holcombe Brook, in Ramsbottom, attending Holcombe Brook Primary School.

In 1976, the family moved to Tenterden, Kent, with Mr Bells' work as an engineer, and then to Maidstone.

When the triplets were in their late teens, their parents moved to Bolton, joined by Martyn, who is an athlete and has represented England on a number of occasions.

The father-of-three said: "From my perspective I don’t really think too often about being a triplet — we were always brought up as individuals and the only time I do think about being a triplet is at birthday time or if someone asks me about myself.

"Living away from each other means we don’t see too much of each other so when we do it's special."

His mother added: "Would I change anything? Not at all. I am a proud mum to all my children and it's a privilege and a blessing to have had triplets."