TWIN boys born prematurely, after just 25 weeks of pregnancy, have reached a miracle first birthday — a milestone their family once thought they would never see.

Twin baby brothers, Dylan and Deiniol Zimunya, were born almost four months prematurely.

They were born at a hospital near home in Wrexham, but were rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital neonatal unit, which specialises in caring for extremely premature babies.

Brave mum, Hannah Zimunya told of her heartbreak: “You don’t expect both of your babies to be taken away from you almost as soon as you’ve given birth to them, even worse that they were transferred to a completely different hospital nearly 60 miles away.”

To the family’s relief, Dylan began to improve and managed to return to his home town for care, but brother Deiniol was still in danger, and received 100 per cent oxygen support.

Tragedy hit, as doctors told the family there was no more they could do for Deiniol and baby Dylan was brought back to Bolton to spend what was thought to be the last day with his brother. But the medics noticed that after he arrived, Deiniol began to stabilise.

Ms Zimunya shared her amazement, saying: “They were put together in the same incubator for a few minutes. It was incredible, somehow Dylan, by just being there, managed to help Deiniol, he made him better.”

But when Dylan left his side, Deiniol’s condition worsened again. So the medical team made arrangements for to have both cared for in Bolton to give Deiniol the best chance of survival. And within 48 hours, he was well enough to be taken off oxygen and both boys were moved to their first home.

Now much stronger, Deiniol celebrated his first birthday with his twin Dylan last month.

Ms Zimunya said: “I can’t explain how happy I am that they have celebrated their first birthdays, because there was a time where we didn’t know if both of them would get the chance.

“We have been through the scariest time and we couldn’t be more thankful to all the staff at both The Wrexham Maelor and Royal Bolton hospitals. Without the support of the nurses I wouldn’t have got through everything.”

Cath Bainbridge, matron of Royal Bolton Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, said: “Every day we care for very premature and sometimes very poorly babies, and their families, and we try to care for each of them as if they were our own.

“If there is something we can do for a family that can make their experience more hopeful, we try to do all in our power to make it happen. In the case of these two beautiful little boys it was beyond doubt the right thing to do. All the team wish them a very happy first birthday, and many more to come.”