A US couple welcomed their new daughter to the world in the last minute of 2010 and her twin brother in the first minute of 2011.

Ashley Fansler gave birth to Madisen Carin Lewis at 11:59pm on New Year's Eve in Machesney Park, near Chicago. Aiden Everette Lewis was born a minute later, at 12am on New Year's Day.

Ms Fansler was not due until the end of January but doctors scheduled a caesarean section to avoid complications.

The father, Brandon Lewis, said one of the doctors was counting the minutes down before the births and it was "definitely the best" New Year countdown he has had.

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