ARDROSSAN’S very own ‘sugar-bag’ triplets last week celebrated their 26th birthdays and said that they are as close as they have ever been.

Martin, Michael and Laura Kelly were born back in 1988 and were featured on the front page of the Herald back in 1989, 25 years ago, as they celebrated their first birthday against the odds after they were born 11 weeks premature weighing less than 3lb each.

Back in 1989, the trio’s mum Liz described Martin as the cheeky one, Michael as the quiet one and Laura as the boss.

All three laughed and agreed that this was still the case in 2014.

Speaking about growing up, Michael said: “Christmas and birthdays were always a bit hectic because there was three times the presents. It was good fun but all a bit mad.” Twenty one years ago, the trio attended their first day at St Peter’s Primary and you can see how they excited they were in our front page from 1993.

When asked if they liked to cause mischief during the school years, Laura said: “We were all in the same class at school but we were well behaved.

"Sometimes I had to stop Martin and Michael from fighting with each other. I think we had to behave because if we didn’t one of the others would tell mum and dad as soon as we got home.” Now well into their adult lifes, both Martin and Michael have followed their dad into working offshore in shift rotations with Laura working as a nurse.

She revealed there may have been some inspiration to follow that line of work, adding: “There was a nurse that came in to help our mum called Molly Patterson who was great, so she could have something to do with it.” Growing up, triplets weren’t very common and at the time when they were born, a pram for three wasn’t available.

Michael said: “My dad made us a pram so that we could all go in it.

"We called it the ‘Batmobile’.

"It’s one of my first memories.” Oldest of the three by 15 minutes, Michael, now has a daughter of his own with little Orla now aged seven months with his partner Stephanie Morrison and Laura tied the knot last year with fiance Alan Fitzpatrick.

Obviously very aware of the situation that they were in at the time, the triplets said the support they gave each other was crucial.

If one of them was struggling with something, the others would help but Laura made sure she was first for most things and was happy to remind her brothers that much to their amusement.

Liz and the trio’s dad, Laurie, gave some advice for anyone with a premature baby. “The main thing was sterilising everything to prevent the kids from getting an infection.

"And secret of surviving looking after three babies at the one time was sticking to a routine.” They noted they were just like a normal family growing up but are even closer now as they realise how special the bond they have is.

They are now looking forward to their next big milestone – their 30th birthdays – and they said they would probably arrange a party as they had a joint 21st five years ago.