Two mums living in Peterlee have welcomed identical twin boys to the world five weeks ahead of their due date.

Hudson and Finley Leighton were born at Stockton’s University Hospital of North Tees on Thursday, November 13, shortly after 11pm.

Hudson was born first at 11.07pm weighing 4lb and 3oz, and Finley was born one minute later at 11.08pm weighing 3lb and 8oz.

Holly Leighton and Emma Robinson’s “miracle boys” were conceived through IVF at a fertility clinic in Darlington and were born five weeks and two days early.

Holly Leighton and Emma Robinson welcomed twins Hudson and Finley Leighton to the world on Thursday, November 13, shortly after 11pm.

placeholder image — Holly Leighton and Emma Robinson welcomed twins Hudson and Finley Leighton to the world on Thursday, November 13, shortly after 11pm.

Holly, who works at Harbour Support Services, said: “We never expected the boys to be born so early.

"In fact, I was at work till 5pm on the day I gave birth and ended up giving birth that evening.

"I had to have an emergency C-section due to Finley’s heart rate dropping low.”

This is the first time Holly and Emma, who have been together since 2018, have tried IVF after having always dreamed of being parents.

Hudson was born first at 11.07pm weighing 4lb and 3oz, and Finley was born one minute later at 3lb and 8oz.

Emma, a care worker at Peterlee’s Poppy Dene care complex, said: “We genuinely never thought we’d ever have the chance to become mams.

"We always dreamed of being mams, but with our health conditions and the challenges of IVF, it felt like something that might never happen for us despite it being our biggest dream.

"We went through shared motherhood IVF which already made the journey so meaningful – both of us being part of creating our family together.”

Holly and Emma are currently staying at hospital with their sons.

Emma, said: "We feel very lucky as normally babies who are born premature are very poorly, and although Finley has spent 12 hours in special care overall, they’ve done excellent.

"Yes there were scares along the way, but they are the happiest most beautiful perfect little boys.”

Holly, who lived in Hartlepool until she was a teenager, added: “They are so tiny that nothing truly prepares you for seeing them in person – not even premature clothes fit them.”

Holly and Emma hope they can go home soon to spend Christmas with their newborn sons.

The pair said: “After everything we’ve overcome, seeing both of them and how perfect they are feels nothing short of a miracle.”