CONJOINED twins from Co Antrim who were successfully separated have celebrated their first birthday.
The family of Annabelle and Isabelle Bateson from Toomebridge have told of how the "determination and strength" of their daughters over the past 12 months had been "an inspiration to everyone".
In a post on social media on Wednesday to mark the girls turning one, their mother Hannah said they were "celebrating with chocolate pancakes for breakfast".
"Happy 1st birthday to our very special wee ladies," she wrote.
"A whole year of Annie and Issie. I can’t believe you’re one.
"You have been through so much in this past year but your determination and strength has been an inspiration to everyone that has the joy of knowing you. How very appropriate that you were born on International Women’s Day.
"Celebrating with chocolate pancakes for breakfast!
"Life lesson… both girls currently ignoring their new toys and playing with an old saucepan and wooden spoon."
Before their children were born in University College Hospital in London, the girls' parents Hannah and Dan had learned of the infants’ rare condition following a pregnancy scan.
It was found the twins were joined from chest to pelvis and shared a liver, bladder and bowel.
They were told the children would require "ongoing surgeries" throughout their lives and would each need a prosthetic leg.
The delicate surgery to separate Annabelle and Isabelle took place in September at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. They were allowed to travel home to Northern Ireland in November.
In another social media post last month, Hannah revealed that their girls had been undergoing "a lot of different scans and tests and then appointments with their surgeons to see how they are doing".
She said that "everything went relatively well, we expect there to be some issues so soon after their separation but their teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital are keeping a very close eye on them".
She added that "it was also lovely seeing so many of the staff that have been such a big part of the girls lives".
