Conjoined twin brothers celebrate their first birthday together one year after they were separated in a six hour operation

Conjoined twin brothers have celebrated their first birthday together one year after they were separated in a six hour operation.

Zayne and Zion were born at University College Hospital in London in April 2023 before being operated on a few months later in July.

Both babies had congenital heart defects and were joined at the breast bone and the abdominal wall - sharing a liver, some blood vessels and muscles.

Omphalopagus conjoined twins like them represent only one in every 250,000 live births in the UK.

Their father Christian Moses, 35, and mother Primrose, 33, said the bond they have will be unlike other siblings.

Christian said it was 'amazing' how close they are as they follow each other around, describing it as 'wonderful'.

Zayne and Zion were born joined at the breast bone and the abdominal wall - sharing a liver, some blood vessels and muscles - in University College Hospital in London in April 2023

The two brothers have now celebrated their first birthday together

Their father Christian Moses, 35, and mother Primrose, 33 (pictured), say the bond they have will be unlike other siblings

He said if one of them leaves without the other they start to cry.

'They are so close and they've been together for such a long time, so their bond is more special than if they had not been conjoined', he told The Mirror.

Primrose said the twins are now 'thriving' and crawling around while saying Dada, although not yet Mama. 

Both twins are now home after spending months in the hospital before and after the surgery.

It was carried out under the care of paediatric consultant Joseph Curry.

Primrose stayed with them in London from birth, while dad Christian bounced between there and home in Middlesbrough to look after the couple's older children, Joshua, six, and Jonathan, four.

The couple had met while studying at Teesside University and share a strong Christian faith.

They refer to their sons as the 'Moses Miracle Twins'.

Christian, an NHS project manager and pastor who founded Pillar Ministries International said the experience had been 'very challenging'. 

Christian said it was 'amazing' how close they are as they follow each other around, describing it as 'wonderful'

Pictured: Zayne and Zion with their mum and dad and their Great Ormond Street Hospital chaplaincy family

Primrose stayed with them in London from birth, while dad Christian bounced between there and home in Middlesbrough to look after the couple's older children

Primrose stayed with them in London from birth, while dad Christian bounced between there and home in Middlesbrough to look after the couple's older children

Both parents have expressed their gratitude for the medical team who looked after their sons 

Christian said like all young men his sons like to explore and at the moment are keeping him very busy

He recalled one time when his wife said she was very exhausted and needed help, but he was unable to drive to London to visit her.

The pastor said he found strength in God and support from his friends.

The twins' separation operation was carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where the family said they were well looked after by the 'amazing' care.

Both parents have expressed their gratitude for the medical team who looked after their sons.

To celebrate the boys' birthday on Wednesday last week the family held a bash on Saturday. 

Christian said like all young men his sons like to explore and at the moment are keeping him very busy.