Triplets whose parents did not think they would survive the night when they were born, are fit, strong and starting school this week.

Sullivan, Tilly and Malachi Drinkell were born on August 10, 2010 and have recently celebrated their fourth birthday.

They are excited about starting Maldon Primary School in September, although their mother, Abby Drinkell, 33, thinks they will not know what has hit them when it happens.

She said: “I can’t wait for them to start school.

“My husband thinks he will be at the gates crying, I will be waving them off.

“They are ready, they have been at Tolleshunt D’Arcy pre-school for two years.

“They are very excited, they have got their lunch boxes and PE bags and everything they have been allowed to choose and they keep going on about school dinners and playgrounds.

“I think it will be a bit of a shock to the system.”