Surgery plan for conjoined twins

The boys, born in London last month and now being cared for at the Cork University Maternity Hospital, are expected to undergo separation surgery later this year.

Their parents, who wish to remain anonymous, said: "We are very proud of our two little boys and we feel blessed by their arrival six weeks ago."

In a statement, the parents added: "We are planning for the boys to come home soon and we are asking the media and the public to let us enjoy this special time with our two little fighters before their separation later this year.

"We needed time together first as a family and to see how the boys were doing."

Mr Edward Kiely, consultant paediatric surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where the surgery will be carried out, said: "If all goes according to plan the children will return later in the year.

"The surgical team here is the most experienced in Europe at assessing and if necessary separating conjoined twins."

A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street was unable to give statistics on the number of conjoined twins born, but said they were "extremely rare".

A spokesman for the Cork hospital said: "Both boys are medically very well, taking their feeds and gaining weight.

"The neonatal team in Cork is working closely with the family and Great Ormond Street Hospital with the boys' treatment and clinical care."

The parents instructed the hospitals not to disclose how the twins were conjoined

A spokesman in Cork said: "It will remain a private matter."