'It's magical': Rare identical triplets born in Somerset arrive home for Christmas

• ITV News' Louisa Britton has been to meet the triplets at their home in Somerset

A Somerset family have said they are "overjoyed" after welcoming home their rare identical triplets in time for Christmas.

Stacey and Grant Silk, who live near Shepton Mallet, were first told they were having twins but much to their surprise they then learnt they were expecting three babies.

The triplets, named Hunter, Bodhi and Travis, were due to be born on Christmas Day but arrived early at 33 weeks on 6 November within minutes of each other.

Stacey said it was "magical" to welcome the three boys home after they spent 3 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.

"We’re so lucky that they’ve all been born healthy and have made such good progress so quickly. It feels as though someone’s been looking over us," she said.

"Although the pregnancy was difficult at times, especially physically, I was very lucky not to have any of the medical complications that can come with triplets.

"We’re just overjoyed, so happy!"

The triplets are brothers to Stacey and Grant's two other children Juke, 7, and Blake, 3.

When the couple attended Stacey’s first scan, they were told they would be having twins.

She said: "We were left a bit speechless when we were told it would be twins, but we came to terms with itquite quickly and let all our friends and family know.

"Grant joked at the time ‘Imagine if there’s another one!’ Little did we know!”

It was at their next scan that they found out they would be having triplets.

"When we were told, we just looked at each other and burst into laughter. We couldn’t believe it," said Stacey.

"When we got back to the car we just sat there in silence for a few minutes, trying to makesense of it all. It was quite overwhelming at the time.

"Grant had just bought a new car and said he was glad he’d chosen the nine-seater!"

Now back home in Oakhill, near Shepton Mallet, Stacey said the couple were looking forward to a big family Christmas.

“We’re taking it one day at a time and embracing the chaos – we’re quite a chaotic family anyway, so it suits us!

“We can’t wait for Christmas with all the boys. We’ve told all our family to make sure they all cook over the Christmas holidays and we’ll spend the season visiting them all and eating all their food.”

The triplets were born at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation, where they spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Stacey said: "Every single staff member was incredible. Our boys have known nothing but love since they were born.

"We’ve been so well looked after. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful. I call the staff here our angels on earth."

Stacey and Grant have also set up their own Instagram account - @thesilktriplets - to share the triplet's progress and to help other families that may also be expecting triplets.