Conjoined twin still gravely ill

The operation took place at Great Ormond Street

A baby girl separated from her conjoined twin four days ago is still in a serious condition in hospital.

Surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London said Faith Williams "remains a very sick little girl".

Laura Williams, 18, from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, gave birth to Faith and sister Hope at another London hospital on 26 November.

Hope died on Tuesday night because her lungs proved too small to support her breathing after the separation.

In a statement, a hospital spokesman said nine-day-old Faith: "Great Ormond Street Hospital is doing everything it can for her, and we continue to offer her the highest possible levels of care."

Shared liver

The twins were delivered by Caesarean section at London's University College Hospital last Wednesday with a combined weight of 4.8kg (10.5lb).

Mrs Williams is believed to be the youngest mother of conjoined twins in Britain.

The sisters were joined from the breastbone to the top of the navel and had a shared liver but separate hearts.

The condition, which is extremely rare, occurs when the single egg from which identical twins develop fails to divide properly after conception.