THE parents of premature twins are the first people to use the brand new family unit at Royal Bolton Hospital.

David and Alison Raines spent their first night together as a family with twins Emma and Hannah in the parent suite.

The tiny twins weighed just 1lb 13oz each when they were born 13 weeks early. Now a much healthier 6lb, the couple from Leigh are getting used to caring for the babies by themselves.

The suite means they can look after the babies independently, safe in the knowledge that expert help is close at hand.

The Simon Pennington suite is named after a father who died in an horrific motorway smash a year ago.

Simon, who was 27, died after suffering head injuries when his car was struck by a lorry on Barton Bridge on the M60 last March.

The accident happened on the same day that his mum Irene was due to travel on an adventure trip to Eygpt to bring in vital cash for the Children's Hospitals Appeals Trust, who funded the £155,000 unit.

Mrs Pennington, of Bromley Cross, has raised thousands of pounds for the trust.

A hospital spokesman said: "It is a lovely way to remember Simon, it will mean a lot to families and the hospital is very grateful to the Children's Hospital Appeal's Trust for raising the funds to make it possible."

The suite is built onto the existing special baby care unit and provides two double parental rooms with en-suite facilities. One of these rooms will also be used as a bereavement suite for those whose child is not expected to live. There is a separate kitchen with all facilities including a microwave oven as well as disabled toilets.

It is far more homely than a regular hospital ward with pine furniture, pastel wallpaper, easy chairs and soft lighting.

It will not be officially opened until spring but is currently available to needy parents.

Mr Raines said: "It will mean a lot to parents. It is very comfortable and doesn't have a hospital appearance or smell. It is private and we can spend time together as a family, away from everyone else on the wards."

Mrs Raines agreed and said: "It is reassuring to be here with help so close by and it has given us a chance to build up our confidence with the twins." FIRST FAMILY SPEND THE NIGHT IN HOSPITAL'S NEW UNIT