Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick are expecting twin girls via a surrogate mother.

A statement from the couple said they were "happily anticipating the birth of their twin daughters later this summer with the generous help of a surrogate. The entire family is overjoyed."

Hollywood gossips were surprised by the news given the headlines about the couple last year when they were forced to brush off break-up rumours.

SJP, 44 and Broderick, 47, who got married in in 1997 already have a son, six-year-old James Wilkie.

The couple will mark their 12th wedding anniversary next month.

Broderick's credits include the films Glory, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the Broadway musical The Producers.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.