Twin girls born either side of midnight to be split up in school - because they fall in different academic years

But the possibility they will be separated for much of their formative years is already hanging over the pair - and all because they were born either side of midnight.

The girls were born just 45 minutes apart on the the night of August 31, but one arrived before it officially became September 1 and one after.

A matter of minutes means they are now facing being separated at school because their official birthdays fall either side of the division for academic years.

Unique: Newborn twin girls Lexus (left) and Amber face being schooled apart because they were born on either side of the cut-off date for academic years

Under the current rules, Lexus would be able to go to school aged four but because she was born slightly later, Amber would have to wait until she was five.

Their parents, Sarah Conway and Ian Caldwell, however, are determined they will not be split up and plan to fight for the next four years to prevent it.

Miss Conway said: 'Doing everything together is what being a twin is all about. How could I keep one at home and send one to school? 

'I've been told this is a really unique case and I'm going to fight to make sure they go to school together even if it takes me the next four years.'

The 37-year-old administrator gave birth to Lexus naturally at 11.40pm on August 31at the Barratt Maternity Unit in Northampton.

Amber was delivered by Caesarean section just 45 minutes later but by that time, it had become September 1.  

'The midwife said it was the first time she had ever heard of this happening to twins,' Miss Conway, from Northampton, said.

'It's such a shame for the girls, especially as Amber only missed the cut-off point by a matter of minutes.

'We tried to persuade the registry office to give them both August 31 as their birthdays but they said there was no leeway.'

Determined: Parents Sarah Conway and Ian Caldwell plan to fight to ensure their daughters can go to school at the same time

Mr Caldwell, who is also a twin, said they would teach the girls at home or move to Spain if they cannot start school together.

'My family live in Spain and they have a different academic year so we'd rather move out there than split up the twins,' his girlfriend added. .

Keith Reed, chief executive of the charity The Twins and Multiple Births Association, said this was the first case of its kind he had ever heard of.

'It's highly unusual for twins to be born in separate school years and I hope the local authority gives due regard to the individual needs of the children and family involved,' he said.

Northamptonshire County Council, the family's local authority, have also never encountered such a scenario before.

A spokesman said: 'We will need to look into this nearer the time Lexus and Amber are due to start school as part of their overall application for a school place.

'Any decision made will be in the best interests of both children as well as taking into consideration the wishes of the parents.'