A mother has given birth to four babies in nine months after her triplets were conceived within weeks of the birth of her son.

Sarah Ward, 29, had struggled to conceive for more than a year before she became pregnant with son Freddie. After he was born in June last year she did not use birth control because of her previous difficulties with conception.

Eight weeks later she was "stunned" to learn that she was pregnant again - with triplets.

Speaking of the shock she and her husband Benn Smith, 31, received, Ms Ward said: "When she said triplets I nearly fell off the bed in shock. Neither of us could speak as she turned the screen to us and pointed out three little wriggling shapes. I just started crying when I realised they would be born before Freddie was one."

Ms Ward, from Crayford, southeast London, had an emergency caesarean section at 33 weeks but triplets Stanley, Reggie and Daisy were all delivered safely and were allowed home last month.

The former care worker added that although life was now "exhausting" she was proud of her brood, having "got the perfect family in less than a year".