A couple have thanked a Norwich hospital on their premature twin daughters' fifth birthday – a day they once thought they would never see.

A couple have thanked a Norwich hospital on their premature twin daughters' fifth birthday – a day they once thought they would never see.

Michelle Knight and Simon Reeve's twins Crimzon and Damzon were born prematurely at 25 weeks on April 16, 2007, weighing just 1lb and 1lb 13oz.

The tiny babies were cared for at the neonatal intensive care unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for 13 weeks and 11 weeks before they were out of danger and could go home.

The couple say they will never forget the care they received from the hospital, in particular from Richard Warren, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, and Mark Dyke, consultant and associate medical director in neonatology.

Miss Knight, who worked in the home beauty department at City College Norwich at the time, said: 'I went into labour when I was at work and I was only 25 weeks pregnant.

'We were told there was only a one-in-three chance of survival.

'If it hadn't been for Mr Warren and his staff, Dr Dyke and all the staff at the neonatal intensive care unit, I dread to think what could have happened.

'It was a traumatic time and a bit of a roller coaster as one day they would be fine and the next they had to be revived.

'It was absolutely touch and go but the care was fantastic.

'We just want to say a huge thank-you to all of them and to show other anxious parents there is light at the end of that very long, dark and lonely tunnel.'

The couple, who are both 44, moved back to where they grew up in north Lincolnshire in 2008 to be closer to family for help and support. Before that, they lived in Silver Road and Mr Knight worked in public services at Great Yarmouth College.