Thriving, the twin who lived

Rosie and Gracie Attard were born in August 2000 sharing a heart, lungs, spine and lower organs.

Doctors told their parents that both would die unless they were separated but an operation would mean the inevitable death of Rosie.

Michael and Rina Attard, devout Catholics from the Maltese island of Gozo, refused to agree. Doctors at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, where the twins were born, went to the High Court for permission to operate.

The move sparked a worldwide ethical debate over such cases.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the operation should go ahead. Rosie died on the operating table minutes after the twins were separated in November 2000.

Gracie has gone on to make a remarkable recovery from her traumatic start in life. Living with her parents back on Gozo, she is walking and talking, although she will need further surgery. Mr Attard said recently: "We are pleased with Gracie's progress. We just take each day as it comes."