Twin birthday joy for Richard at 71

They are the cute Black Country sisters who hit the headlines after it emerged they had the oldest father to twins in Britain.

Now Emily and Ruby Roden, of Brownhills, Walsall, have celebrated their first birthday with 71-year-old Richard Roden and his wife Lisa, who is 46 years his junior.

A party was held at their Peake Crescent home on Saturday and they were joined by relatives to help them open their first birthday presents.

Ex-welder Mr Roden said: "It was a brilliant day and the kids had a great time and were all smiles.

"I want to make the most of the time I have with the twins and enjoy watching them grow up.

Mr Roden was already a father of ten from two previous marriages when he and Lisa tied the knot in Cannock last September, four years after their first meeting at Brownhills Library.

Lisa also has a seven-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Mrs Roden said: "The children were so excited about the party they missed their afternoon nap, but enjoyed themselves.

"They've had a lot of presents, and their favourite seems to be an illuminated musical sea horse.

"It's been a brilliant day and a lovely family occasion. Everybody came round to see them."

Mr Roden added: "Everyone is great and I am over the moon with my life at the moment. I wouldn't swap anything about my life."

The twins were born in January last year at Walsall's Manor Hospital.

Romance between the pair blossomed and after a holiday in Weston-super-Mare in 2006 the couple started trying for a baby.