Mary Clouston gave birth to Ann, Bryan and John on January 26, 1950 – three months premature.

Tragedy struck just three days later when John died at Danesfield Maternity Home in Jarrow, but his siblings survived and are now beginning their seventh decade.

The pair celebrated their 60th birthdays at the Harbour Lights pub in South Shields, with Mrs Clouston, now 88, surrounded by family and friends.

Their father George died 10 years ago.

Mrs Clouston, of Monkton, Jarrow, said: "I was really shocked when the third baby arrived.

"I was worried about taking care of three premature children, as well as my two other boys, at the same time.

"The main reason I managed was that I had a wonderful, caring husband who couldn't do enough to help.

"He was kind, happy and was very proud of his family, as I am."

Miss Clouston, of the Lawe Top, South Shields, and Mr Clouston, now living in Palmersville, North Tyneside, have two elder brothers – Alan, 65, and Ian, 62.

The triplets' birth was reported on the front page of the Shields Gazette the following day before any of the babies were named.

Ann was the first to be born, weighing 4lb, then Bryan arrived, weighing 3lb 10oz, before John followed, weighing 2lb 14oz.

Their picture was taken minutes later with a nurse in the Jarrow maternity unit.

At the time, Mr Clouston, a bricklayer living in Cobden Street, Jarrow, said he needed to buy a bigger house to accommodate all their children as he and his wife already had two boys, then aged two and five.

Miss Clouston said: "Although it was extremely upsetting to lose John the way we did, our family is just grateful that me and Bryan survived because we were very premature.

"We had a fantastic party to celebrate our 60th."