Michael and Paul Miles, who were born with two other siblings Ann and Ernest, died just weeks before their 90th birthday.

Dubbed the 'St Neots Quads', the siblings were born seven weeks prematurely on November 28, 1935, and were the first to survive more than a few days.

Paying tribute, their older brother Gordon said the entire family were "very sad to lose them", adding their "story is extraordinary".

"Back in 1935 I don’t think anyone could have imagined that premature quadruplets would live so long," he said.

"We are grateful that, after such a precarious start, they were able to enjoy long and happy lives raising their own families.  We will miss them."

Mr Miles with all four babies on November 30, 1935. (Image: St Neots Museum)

The siblings were recognised as the oldest living quadruplets by the Guiness Book of Records in 2017.

Born to Walter and Doris Miles, the quads were born at home at 13 Ferrars Avenue, Eynesbury, in St Neots, and came as a surprise to their parents.

All four babies were delivered just over seven weeks early by local GP Ernest Harrison, district nurse Mailing and Mrs Miles's mother.

According to a report in that week's edition of Hunts Post, they were immediately wrapped in cotton wool and placed in drawers

Ann weighed 3lb 12½oz, Ernest 3lb 5oz, Paul 3lb 7oz and Michael at just 2lb 13oz. 

It soon became clear they would require specialist care and were moved to Mr Harrison's home where they were cared for by four nurses from Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mr Miles, who was employed at Messrs Rowlatt Bros, in St Neots, said he went to work as usual the day they were born, but confessed to being a “little late”.

He came home at lunchtime to find a huge group of reporters on his doorstep and by 3pm said he had "still not had a bite".

He told the huddle: "I am no longer Walter Miles, lorry driver, I am the father of the St Neots quads."

Every stage of the quad's lives were photographed, including this image which was taken in 1936. (Image: St Neots Museum)

News of their birth spread across the UK and the world and attracted significant media attention.

A public appeal saw donations of money and equipment to support the family - including a cheque for £4 from King George V.

The Miles even signed a sponsorship deal with baby milk manufacturer Cow & Gate which paid for a glass nursery at the rear of the family home.

Over the years, locals were able to pay one shilling to marvel at the quads through the glass as they grew up.

On leaving school Michael joined Hunts Motor Co until he was called up for National Service and posted in Germany.

He returned to St Neots on demobilisation then emigrated to Rhodesia to work for an Importer of Perkins Diesel Engines.

He later moved to South Africa to work for Kodak with his wife, Joy, and two children, before retiring in Cape Town.

The quads with nurses from Great Ormond Street Hospital (Image: St Neots Museum)

Paul, meanwhile, began an apprenticeship building rowing boats before working on jet aircraft frames at RAF Bassingbourn during his National Service.

He later worked as a scientific instrument maker crafting artificial organs for animals, living with his wife, Pat, and three children.

Between them, the quadruplets have 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

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