A former Bedford gym manager is having all his organisational and fitness skills tested in his new role as the father of identical triplets.

His three bundles of joy defied odds of 200 million-to-one because they are like peas in a pod.

Proud dad Richard Rees, 22, said: "When we found out at the 12-week scan I couldn't believe it. I just went white and stared at the screen – it took a good few hours for it to sink in."

"I didn't really know what I was looking at on the screen and I can remember thinking, 'Please tell me there's only one of them in there'."

But 15 weeks ago Mr Rees's fiancee Carmela Testa, 23, gave birth to the triplets, each weighing between 3lb 4oz and 3lb 10oz. They were seven weeks premature and had to be cared for in incubators for three weeks.

Mr Rees said: "We knew that they would be born between 32 and 34 weeks, so we were prepared.

"But as much preparing as we did, when they were born it all became real. All three of them are beautiful and we love them so much."

The couple, who are childhood sweethearts who met at primary school when they were 11, admit the new arrivals have turned their daily routines upside down – but they wouldn't be without them. And the couple have no trouble telling each of them apart.

Mr Rees said: "Olivia has a strawberry birthmark on her neck, Gabriella is a little bit smaller and Alessia has a sharper cry."

The young family are currently living with Miss Testa's parents in Bretton, Cambs, who are providing some welcome help.

"Our families have been so pleased for us and everyone is helping out. It's been a great help and we're really lucky to have them," said Mr Rees.

He managed the Inn Action gym, connected to The Park Inn Hotel in St Mary's Street, Bedford, for two years, and despite finishing 11 months ago is still a familiar face in Bedford.

He said: "I lived in Ashburnham Road and loved working at the gym.

"The people I met weren't just clients, a lot of them became friends. And I've had lots of text messages from gym members and staff since the births – it has been really touching."

One of those messages was from former colleague Rebecca Mason.

The gym's assistant manager said: "Richard is the most organised man I've ever met – if anyone is up to handling triplets, it's him.

"He is a great guy and everyone here is really pleased for him."

Mr Rees is now a vocational coach for VT Training, travelling around the region tutoring people for NVQs in fitness and management, so is often back in the town.

He added: "It's great that the job is quite flexible – if ever there was a situation that needs it, it's this one."