REACHING 18 is the first big milestone in anyone's life.

And for one household in Torrington there will be three celebrations rolled into one.

For triplets — Sophie, Steven and Dexter Newman — are coming of age tomorrow.

Coincidentally, they share their birthday with their gran, Audrey, so that's another reason to party.

As they look forward to celebrating their independence and stepping out on their own for the first time, having always done most things together, mum Sharon looks back on the last 18 years.

She said: "It was a very difficult start for them, as they were born 11 weeks premature.

"The Barnstaple Special Care Baby Unit was full at the time, so I had to be rushed to Freedom Fields Hospital at Plymouth.

"What an exciting journey that was; I didn't realise ambulances could fly."

Ian, the triplets' dad, had to drive fast to keep up with the ambulance but there was no need to panic, as the babies were not born until the next day.

Sharon recalled: "They were tiny. Dexter was the smallest at 2lbs, Steven was a little bigger at 2lbs 4oz and Sophie was a massive 2lbs 8oz. The work of the Intensive and Special Care Unit was amazing and I am always indebted to them.

"I am so proud of the triplets," she said "because without their strength of character and determination, they would not have survived the many difficulties.

"I lived on my nerves for the first six weeks because it was not often that they all had a good day; if one problem was under control with one baby something else would arise with one or both of the other babies.

"I lived in the hospital for the first six weeks, thanks to the wonderful staff. They even had to look after me from time to time as I am diabetic."

The triplets were transferred to Barnstaple SCBU (special care baby unit) after six weeks, but had to stay in hospital until they were four months old, to overcome more difficulties and to keep the siblings together until Dexter's lungs improved.

Sharon said: "He remained on oxygen for the first 17 months of his life. That was an adventure in itself, as his sister, Sophie, realised if she sneakily disconnected his oxygen tube and sniffed it herself, it was quite nice.

"Good job I had monitors and alarms on Dexter so I was alerted to the emergency."

"The triplets all get on very well as a rule and are getting a little nervous about heading off in different directions next year, as they have always done most things together.

"They share the same interests; they all work together at a local pub, they are all involved with the Torrington Plough Youth Theatre which they enjoy immensely, and they have all trained in the martial art Aikido, though Steven accidently broke Sophie's leg on one occasion.

"The boys occasionally do local events, singing and playing their guitars, and they all share many friends."

Their home in South Street is always filled with music and young people and their mum admits she is going to find it difficult, too, when they fly the nest.