THE number 12 will always have an important meaning for two friends in Woolston.

Out of seven babies born on December 12 last year, two of them lived on the same street and were just a few doors away.

Having youngsters with the special birthday 12.12.12 have brought mums Genna Beckett and Laura Linley together and made them the best of friends over the last 12 months.

The pair, who both live on Suncroft Close, now believe they will be friends for life after marking tots Alice Rose and Lilly Anne’s first birthday on Thursday.

Hairdresser Genna Beckett, mum to Alice Rose and her big brother Jack, aged eight, said: “We had seen each other before and knew we were both pregnant but we didn’t become friends until we came home from hospital and realised we had both given birth on the same day.

“We started doing baby stuff together and have been really good friends ever since.

“I had been Christmas shopping on the day I went into labour and the midwife told me about the date but at the time I was more bothered about giving birth!

“It was only afterwards I realised her birthday was really special and people always say what a lovely birthday it is.”

Mum Laura believes 12 will always be daughter Lilly Anne’s lucky number as she was born in labour room 12 and the pair were almost born 12 hours apart as Lilly Anne was welcomed to the world at 8.58am and Alice Rose at 8.15pm.

The 25-year-old, who runs cake business Linley’s Cakes and Bakes and also has Blake, aged six and Kira, aged three, added: “It was a long day as my waters broke the day before and then nothing happened.

“People kept saying to me they thought she would have a special birthday but she was due on the 5th so I was having none of it.

“I still can’t get over the fact we had them on the same day when we lived so close and I think we’re going to be friends for life now.”