CAMBRIDGE University confirmed this morning that Lil, Helen and Kate Armstrong are the first set of triplets to be offered places at the campus.

The 18-year-olds from Truro College have won conditional offers to read medicine, law and natural sciences, provided they secure As in their forthcoming A-Level examinations.

Lil, who wants to read medicine at Selwyn College, admitted: 'We were very nervous about just one or two of us receiving an offer but once we realised we all had a conditional place it was very exciting.'

Helen, who has a conditional place to read law at Corpus Christi college, said: 'We've still got to get the grades so we're just focusing on the exams.'

Kate wants to read natural sciences at Trinity Hall college.

A University spokesman said this morning: 'They are the first set of triplets that have been accepted.'

The girls' parents are naturally delighted. Father Tim, 45, is a biomedical scientist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, at Treliske and his wife Susan, 45, is a nursery assistant. Their 21-year-old son Tom already attends university in Bristol.

FOR more news from Cornwall, order a regular copy of Your Favourite Weekly. The Independent. FIRST. BEST. FROM EVERY SUNDAY