A SET of North-East quads celebrated their seventh birthday yesterday - days after one of them was released from hospital.

Hannah Moss-Carbert was well enough to enjoy her special day with brothers Jonpaul, Adam and Simon after a six-month illness.

Hannah, who has hydrocephalus, was admitted to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, after becoming poorly during a family holiday.

Her mother, Theresa, from Darlington, said: "She has always been the poorly one and she hasn't been able to talk or communicate with people for the past six months.

"Today is a bit special because she is now back to how she was. She is lovely. We have had weeks of hell, but to get her back as chatty as ever is fantastic."

The quads were born 13 weeks prematurely after Mrs Moss-Carbert, who had been trying for a baby for 11 years, was given a hormone-boost.

She and husband Paul were advised by doctors to abort two of the quads.

"We wouldn't," said Mrs Moss-Carbert. "As soon as I heard the heartbeats, I could not have.

"Jonpaul has epilepsy and the other two boys have asthma. Adam also has severe eczema - but they are catching up now, and to look at them you wouldn't know how early they arrived.

"Looking after them is hard work and it doesn't get easier, but I wouldn't change it."

The quads celebrated yesterday with a party for family, friends and fellow pupils from Corporation Road Community Primary School.