A couple will tie the knot in Maidstone this leap day after 13 years together, and say the special date will make their anniversary easier to remember.

Melanie Stanford, 52, and Tim Willetts, 59, only started planning their wedding in January and were delighted when they discovered that Saturday, February 29 was available, even if the day only comes around once every four years.

The pair, from Grove Green, Maidstone, will exchange rings in front of close family this morning at Archbishop's Palace.

They found each other after their previous marriages broke down.

Melanie, who works at local engineering firm Evans and Langford, said: "We both came out of relationships where the other party went off with somebody else or decided that was it. Neither of us had a say in the matter."

Grown-ups son from both of their former relationships will watch as the couple say 'I do'.

Their reasons for getting hitched are more perhaps more practical than sentimental. Last summer the pair booked a trip to Dubai and decided the holiday could be their honeymoon. There are also pension benefits to being married, Melanie explained.

However, each are excited for their big day.

"It isn't going to change anything for us, but it's still a new chapter," the practice manager said.

And how do they feel about getting married on a leap day? "It's a bit special and and it will be hard to forget," Melanie said.

Whilst Tim and Melanie have elected to celebrate a milestone today, some don't have a choice in the matter.

Nancy Phillips, from Weavering, will celebrate her first 'proper' birthday dressed in a princess dress and playing party games.

Family and friends will gather to wish the four-year-old happy birthday, however, Nancy is too young to realise the date's significance.

Her mum, Alana Lee, said: "She's too little to understand but a lot of people are joking and saying to her 'you're going to be one.'"

Alana and her partner Michael Phillips, former Maidstone United FC captain, normally celebrate their youngest daughter's birthday on February 28.

Technically, this means she has two birthdays.

"I'm sure she will try and milk that when she's older," Alana, an IT project manager said.

The couple are pulling out the stop for Nancy's first official birthday, inviting 25 guests to a children's party venue in Maidstone where they will eat cake and enjoy fun activities.

Nancy was born in Tunbridge Wells Hospital, weighing just 81b, 7oz.

Chicken nuggets and chips will be the order of the day for Harry Belton as he turns four today.

Harry, from Horsmonden, in The Weald, will tuck into his favourite meal this leap day and perhaps go to a Build a Bear store before enjoying a bouncy castle party tomorrow.

He was born eight days early, weighing just 61b, 14oz, and so his parents, Tracy and Nick were not expecting a leap day baby.

The couple have so far celebrated Harry's birthday on different, neighbouring dates, but when he's old enough, they may let him decide.

Tracy said: "I wasn't sure what to think when Harry was born on a leap day, but actually it isn't too bad.

"Everyone is a bit excited that it's going to be his first real birthday. We have tried to make this birthday special."

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