IT ONLY happens once every four years and this is the year that Leap Day babies get to celebrate their official birthdays!

Michael Moore, of Prestatyn, will celebrate his fourth (and 16th!) birthday today (February 29). 

When Michael was born, the headteacher of Bodnant Community School held him up in assembly and told the children he wouldn't have a birthday until he was four. 

Every year Michael, who attends the Milestone Academy and likes PC gaming and cats, has had a picture with a balloon showing his leap year age.

Rhyl Journal: Michael featured in a newspaper on his first birthday (aged four!)Michael featured in a newspaper on his first birthday (aged four!) (Image: Debbie Moore)
Mum Debbie, who is hoping to carry on the balloon tradition, said: "He is quite relaxed about his birthday, 16 is an important age, but we get to celebrate his birthday on the proper day today.

"Usually, when it is not a leap year, we celebrate on the day before or day after but yes, today on his actual birthday!

"It really does make it special [having a baby born on a leap year]. I really love it.

"I've told him, in years to come, when he is much older, he will have to keep getting an age balloon. 

Rhyl Journal: Michael marks his official 2nd birthday!Michael marks his official 2nd birthday! (Image: Debbie Moore)
"He is having a party tea today to mark the occasion and family and friends will be visiting."

In Conwy, Roxie Davies, a pupil at Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno, has turned three - despite actually being 12!

Mum Gemma Davies, of Llandudno, said: "Roxie was born at Glan Clwyd Hospital in the early hours of the morning of February 29. She was early.

"Reporters were waiting outside to report on any leap year babies born.

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"Roxie loves that her birthday is on such a unique day. When it's not a leap year we celebrate on February 28 as its still within the same month.

Rhyl Journal: Michael when he officially turned three!Michael when he officially turned three! (Image: Debbie Moore)
"We celebrate both ages but when it's a leap year, we have an official birthday."

Phil Jones, of Glan Conwy, has turned 12 but is actually 48! The family are heading for a meal at the The Queens Head, Glanwydden, to celebrate.

Mum Brenda Jones said: "Phil was a week late. He was born in St David's Hospital in Bangor on February 29 in 1976 at 7.05pm.

"Usually we celebrate on March 1 with a family get-together."