A WEEKEND break at Alton Towers waterpark awaits Wirral triplets Reece, Josh and Ashton Ventree who celebrate their 10th birthday today.

They were born, eight weeks premature, at Arrowe Park Hospital on January 29, 2005 to proud parents Janine and Richard and featured in the Globe at the time.

Ashton weighed two pounds, Josh was slightly heavier at two pound three ounces and Reece was three pounds.

Because of their early arrival, they spent the first six weeks in the hospital's Special Care Baby Unit (SCABU).

The Globe caught up with them during a pre-birthday party at their home in Moreton on Wednesday night.

Reece wants to be a policeman, Josh says he has plans to become an artist and Ashton hopes to work with computers.

Richard, an IT consultant, told the Globe: "It was a high-risk pregnancy, and Janine was planned for a Caesarian section. She went into the maternity ward and the boys were born in the early hours next day.

"They are like any other boys; they love wrestling and football. They fight occasionally, like all brothers do, but love eachother and are always looking out for eachother. We feel blessed to have them.

"I don't whether they will each get a birthday cake, it will probably just be one with 30 candles.

"They feel like little celebrities, thanks to the attention from the Globe."

The boys' mum Janine, a full-time beautician who had her own salon in Wallasey for 17 years said: "When they were born early, obviously we were concerned, but staff at SCABU were brilliant with them and did a fantastic job."

They all attend Overchurch School and are members of Hoylake AC Football Club, based in Meols.

Reece said: "It feels amazing to be 10, we're looking forward to going to Alton Towers."