Friends who were separated at birth
4:17pm Monday 10th March 2008 in Your Town By Lucy Ewing
Sally, left, and Katie celebrate their 21st birthday
WHEN Katie Ainscow and Sally Whelan became friends as 11-year-olds they didn't think there was any significance about them sharing the same birthday.
It was only when their mothers saw each other that they discovered they had actually met the day they were born.
Ever since, the girls have been inseparable, doing everything together, including celebrating their 21st birthday at a joint party on Friday night.
The pair were born at the Princess Anne maternity unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital on March 6, 1987. Shortly afterwards, their mums, Janet Ainscow and Tina Halliwell, met as they had beds facing each other on the same ward.
Mrs Ainscow said: "We just got chatting because we'd both just had our babies. But when we left hospital we lost touch."
Katie and Sally went to different primary and secondary schools but eventually met because Katie's friends from St Bede's Primary went to Mount St Joseph's secondary school with Sally. It was only when their mums saw each other that they realised the connnection.
The girls both went to Bolton Sixth Form College, have worked at Cappuccino in the Market Place together and both started at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston in 2005.
Sally, of Osborne Close, Farnworth, said: "We just do everything together, from shopping, clubbing, going on holiday, everything.
Katie, of Warwick Gardens, Morris Green, added: "We'll probably get married and have babies at the same time. We'll be friends forever. I can't imagine not doing everything together."
Mrs Ainscow said she thought the girls had a special bond. She said: "I feel like I have two daughters because they are so inseparable."
Mrs Halliwell said: "You couldn't get closer friends."
The girls celebrated their 21st birthday with a buffet and disco for their family and friends at the Ellesmere Recreation and Leisure Club in Morris Green.
Katie's night was extra special because boyfriend, Dean Smethurst, a Royal Marine, made a surprise visit from Portsmouth.
