It’s triple joy for Mohammad and Parveen Akhtar - the proud parents of triplets Ayaan, Faizaan and Imran.

The three boys were born on April 26 and all have finally been allowed home from Royal Bolton Hospital.

Mr and Mrs Akhtar, aged 36 and 37, had been trying to have children for eight years, but it was not until Mrs Akhtar had her first scan that they dis- covered they were expect- ing triplets.

Proud father Mr Akhtar said: “At first we were told we were having twins, but then the doctor was said, ‘Hang on a minute, there’s three in there.’ I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it, but then I was really excited.

“We didn’t know we were having boys either, it was a complete surprise at the birth.”

Baby Ayaan was first born via Caesarean sec- tion at 11.41am, weighing 4lb 3ozs. He was the first son to be brought home on May 11.

His brother Faizaan was next to arrive at 11.41am, weighing in at 2lb 5oz. Imran came last two minutes later, hitting the scales at 3lb 1oz.

Faizaan and Imran have now joined their brother at home and it has been all hands on deck for fam- ily and friends of the cou- ple, who have lived in Bolton for 12 years after arriving from Pakistan.

On average, the boys get through about 35 nappies a day and, like all other babies, need constant care around the clock. Mr Akhtar said: “I was so happy when we brought them home from hospital, although people kept looking at us because we had three prams.

“My two-year-old neph- ew, Asaslan, is the most happy because he can be like a big brother now. He loves them.”