Henry Barker, four, celebrates turning one on leap year day

But for little Henry Barker, he’s had to wait a whopping 1,461 days to celebrate his first. 

That is because the little leapling – which is the name given to a person born on a leap day – marks his special day on February 29. 

And it will be the first time the four-year-old, of New Costessey, near Norwich, has seen that date since being born in 2020. 

Previously he had to party on February 28, as his parents Matthew Barker, 41, and Lydia, 35, explained. 

“Henry's due date was on February 28, which is a lucky number throughout our family,” Mrs Barker, a contract data manager, said. 

“So, we’ve traditionally taken to marking his special day on that date now. 

“This year, he is very excited for his ‘proper’ birthday day and has been telling all his friends about it at pre-school.” 

Henry was born just three weeks before lockdown and by the time his first birthday came around, the UK was still in Covid restrictions 

Mrs Barker added: “As leaplings are associated with frogs, Henry is having a frog-themed birthday. 

“He is being surprised with a new trampoline, a frog cake for his party, and will be getting lots of leap year gifts such as a t-shirt and jumper to celebrate being born on a leap day.” 

Henry will be celebrating with friends and family, including his big sister Emily. 

He has also appeared on a YouTube video put together by Box Office Radio to celebrate leap year birthdays worldwide. Rookie Card, an American band, chose him to open and close the video with his guitar. 

Only around 0.06pc of the population is born on February 29 and people born on a leap year have their own club called the Honor Society of Leap Year Babies.