A pair of twin babies thought to be the UK's most premature twins to survive may be ready to leave hospital by their original due date.

The twins, Harry and Harley Crane, were born on 26th October at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. They were born four months before their original due date.

Harry and Harley who weighed 500g (1.10lb) and 520g (1.14lb) respectively when they were born, are now 16 weeks old. Between them, they have undergone six operations. The twins have suffered sepsis, eye problems and lung and brain bleeds.

Harry and Harley's mother, Jade, had been told that she would most likely experience a miscarriage by doctors. When she was told that she was going into labour, her initial reaction was of "absolute disbelief".

She said: "The twins are doing amazingly. We aren't out of the woods yet, but we're taking it day by day."

Mei Li Powell, of the Borne Foundation, a charity that aims to prevent premature birth, said: "A multiple birth at such an early gestation is incredibly rare and we wish the twins and their family the best on their neonatal journey. While survival rates in recent years have increased for babies born prematurely, more research is needed to prevent premature birth and to ensure more babies survive."