A family are donating a christening fund to the hospital unit which cared for their twin daughters.

It was 16 weeks into Lara Lacey's pregnancy when medical staff spotted Kitty and her identical twin Lily were suffering from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), which affects 10-15pc of identical twin pregnancies.

In Kitty and Lily's case they were sharing a placenta and connecting blood vessels.

Mrs Lacey, 38, from Thurning, near Dereham, was transferred to the University College Hospital London for a specialist operation to separate the connecting blood vessels causing the syndrome to try to save both babies' lives. However, Lily died one week later.

After careful monitoring, Mrs Lacey was induced at 38 weeks on New Year's Eve and gave birth on New Year's Day this year. Kitty was named Kitty-Lily in memory of her sister.

The family of five-month-old Kitty-Lily have praised the Foetal Medicine Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for all their help and support, and are donating funds raised at her christening on June 14 to the unit.

Mrs Lacey and her husband George, 37, who have two older sons, eight-year-old Hughie and Bertie, four, said: 'The experience has affected us all and will forever be part of our lives. We love Kitty to bits; she's a very special little girl who has been through so much, but we will always be mindful of what should have been.'

The family are hoping to continue with fundraising efforts for the hospital in the future.

The christening gift, which totals £300 so far, is still receiving pledges.

To donate to the fund, visit www.justgiving/lara-lacey