There have been changes afoot in the Shepton Mallet Journal newsroom with a new reporter joining the team – but a spooky coincidence means some things will remain the same.

Carol Vincent, (36), joined the paper last week, taking over from Alan Williams who is now news editor of sister titles the Somerset Standard and Guardian series.

But before he left the pair realised that they share an unusual birthdate – they were both born on Christmas Day.

The pair made the discovery when Carol spent the day in the newsroom with Alan before oficially joining the paper.

Carol said: “I couldn’t believe it. There must be lots of people born on Christmas Day, but it’s not often you’re sat across from them.

“We were born in different years though – I wish I was 24!

“Alan didn’t believe it and thought I was winding him up.

“We haven’t really spoken about whether or not we have anything else in common, but we are very like personality-wise.”