These two little miracles were born just as their parents were about to give up hope.
Millie and Jesse Mantle, aged four, were the result of five cycles of IVF and a traumatic pregnancy for their parents Diane and Tim, from Stockton Heath.
But now the couple are thanking staff at Warrington Hospital who helped them get through one of their lowest ebbs by nominating them for a national prize.
Diane, of Willow Drive, said: “We thought we were never going to get there.
“The first cycle of IVF was in 2004 before I finally fell pregnant in July 2007.
“I knew of others who had been successful so that spurred me on but me and my husband had decided before the time I conceived the twins that it was going to be our last chance.”
The former teacher at St Wilfrid’s Primary School, Grappenhall, said it was a big shock finding out she was having twins but then she soon started feeling constantly sick.
She added: “I think it was more of a shock for Tim because I was just feeling ill all the time. I remember that time every single day.
“I was in and out of Warrington Hospital like a yo-yo.”
Diane had numerous scans and had to spend three weeks in hospital before the babies were born after suffering a pregnancy-related heart attack.
The maternity unit is now in line for a Maternity Unit Miracles award after saving the lives of both Diane and her babies.
