TWO newborn babies from Minehead are set to share a royal legacy - and a common link.

Stanley John Littlefield and Stanley Spence came into the world on the same day the new Prince of Cambridge was born - named on Wednesday as George Alexander Louis.

And both sets of parents were coming to terms this week with the realisation that their newborns not only shared their birthdays with the future King of England but by a chance in a million, the same names as each other.

And Stanley John, son of Free Press advertising director Jess Littlefield and her husband James, already has a four-year-old brother - called George.

The younger Littlefield was born at 9.53am on Monday, weighing in at 8lbs 15oz, whilst his namesake made his appearance slightly earlier at 6.37am, weighing 8lbs 10oz.

It was a first child for 23-year-old Molly and 26-year-old Paul Spence, who married last year.

Molly, a health care assistant at Williton Hospital, had to be induced the day before but Stanley was actually born on his due date.

"We had no idea whether we were having a boy or a girl so it was a total surprise," said Molly. "But we are absolutely thrilled and love him to bits.

"It's really exciting that he was born on the same day as the royal baby - it's such a special thing."

Paul, a personal fitness trainer at the West Somerset Sports Centre, said: "I think it's pretty cool and it will certainly be a good story to tell him."

Stanley Spence was named after Molly's grandfather, whilst one of the reasons Jess and James chose the name was because they thought it unlikely there would be another Stanley of the same age.

"It's a really unexpected coincidence," said Jess, 32, who revealed that she had an inkling her baby might be born on the same day as the new prince.

"I suppose every mother who was due around this time probably thought the same but it's still very exciting and special."

Stanley John was born by caesarean section and Jess and 34-year-old James, team manager with the Co-Op at its Watchet store, heard that the Duchess of Cambridge had gone into labour as they were travelling to Taunton for the pre-booked procedure.

"It flashed up on the radio as we were driving in and I remember the surgeon asking me how I felt about having a baby on the same day as the Royal baby.

"At the time, I had other things to think about, but now I think it's lovely!"

Both sets of parents intend to apply for the commemorative lucky silver penny, struck by the Royal Mint in honour of the birth and only avaiulable for those babies born on the same day as the new prince.

The penny, in a blue or pink purse, will feature the shield of the Royal Arms and although worth £28 will be free.

As the world now knows, Prince George was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London at 4.24pm and weighed 8lbs 6oz.

Photos: Steve Guscott