A Whitehaven family has been devastated by the sudden death of a doting mother of nine-month-old triplets.

Rachel Park, 39, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday in her home at Beatty Road, Bransty. Police say her death is unexplained but it is not believed to be suspicious.

The Whitehaven News featured the Park family's remarkable story on last week’s front page, reporting how Rachel and her husband Steven, 37, planned to spend their daughters’ first Christmas at home after the girls had finally been allowed out of hospital.

Triplets Poppie, Mollie and Evelyn were in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for over three months as they were born on March 11 at just 26 weeks. The parents had been “told to prepare for the worst” but the triplets made great improvements and were allowed home for the festive period.

“It was touch and go with all three at some point but they’re all out and fine now,” Rachel said last week.

“We were told to prepare for the worst. They’ve had quite a tough journey but they’re growing now and doing well. We’re looking forward to Christmas, there’s toys everywhere!”

Steven had said: “Our girls have been on a huge journey so far and because of that we’re going to make sure their first Christmas will be extra special. We were so scared that they may not make it this far, and will therefore be really celebrating the festive season.”

The sisters’ return home meant Rachel and Steven could celebrate their first family Christmas together but Mr Park broke the tragic news of his wife’s death on social media on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: “Police were called at 3am on December 27 to Beatty Road, to a report of a sudden death of a woman in her 30s. Her death is unexplained but not believed to be suspicious.”