Twin boys separated almost two years ago by laser surgery in the womb have finally been given a clean bill of health.

Scans at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford showed that the babies being carried by Maria Gibson were suffering from a rare condition - they were joined by blood vessels from a single placenta. One was receiving too much blood, the other not enough. If untreated, the babies could have been dead within three days. The blood supply could be stopped for one baby with fatal consequences.

The alternative was pioneering but risky laser surgery in the womb to separate them, but there was a chance that the twins might suffer brain damage and die.

Mrs Gibson, 33, and husband Stephen, 31, of Preston Road, Abingdon, had to decide whether to go for the laser treatment or have the blood supply stopped to one of the twins.

They took the laser gamble and it paid off, but it was touch and go. The operation was carried out by top surgeon Nicholas Fisk, one of only 10 surgeons in the world qualified to perform the surgery at the Queen Charlotte Hospital in London. Oliver and William were born by Caesarean in September 2004 seven weeks premature.

Now nearly two years on, the twins have been given a clean bill of health. Mrs Gibson said: "It's wonderful news. We never thought we would see the twins in such health, at home and enjoying themselves.

"They are full of life and into everything they are little piggies. When the problem was identified we were told that if nothing was done they would die.

"My babies could not be delivered because it was too early and the only other option was to terminate one to give the other a better chance. We decided against termination, leaving us with the only option of surgery. It was a big risk, but fortunately it paid off."

Italian-born Mrs Gibson is expecting a third child in six weeks' time. She said: "This time I am having only one child. After what we went through with William and Oliver, one child is enough for us. I think three children is just about right."