ORFORD twins who were born prematurely on different days are celebrating their first birthdays this week.

Thomas and Rebecca Bates were born nine weeks prematurely - Thomas on February 27 and Rebecca on February 28.

Thomas had a normal birth, although he was born with a hernia. Rebecca was born by an emergency section. She had a digestive problem which meant a muscle in her stomach rejected milk.

Both babies spent the first four weeks of their lives in the Special Care Baby Unit at Warrington and both had to have operations at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital. The operations were successful and both children have not suffered any problems since.

Mum, Sherren Bates, said: "They are totally different characters. Rebecca is a quiet little girl who loves playing on her own, she weighs up everything and everyone. Thomas is a cheeky mischievous little boy who is into everything."

Sherren says the past year has been very demanding but very rewarding for both her and her husband Steven. She added: "I would like to thank the family for their ongoing support."

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