THESE five surely know how to keep it in the family.

Bouncing baby Layla Smith became the fifth female to be welcomed into the group, who all live within yards of one another in Hereford.

Leanne Smith, aged 24, gave birth to Layla in November, completing the amazing turn of events.

They live with Layla’s grandmother, Angie Dillon, 47, in Ross Road, just around the corner from greatgrandmother Barbara Smith, 66, and great-great grandmother Violet Colburn, 86, who both live in nearby Beaufort Avenue.

“We didn’t realise how unusual it was until everyone kept telling us,”

said Mrs Dillon. “It does feel special and was lovely when we had our photo taken at her christening.”

Mrs Colburn recently suffered a stroke and it was touch and go whether she would see Layla being born.

“We are very lucky that she is still with us and it has given her a reason to live and to keep going,” added Mrs Dillon. “We are very close and Violet loves going on walks with Leanne and Layla.”

Barbara Smith said that she loves being a great-grandmother and is looking forward to babysitting Layla when Leanne returns to work.

“We have all been trying to give Leanne advice and we all muck in,” she said. “We are just one big family really.”