A MOTHER coping with the death of her two-year-old twin son is praying doctors find a way of preventing the death of her second "miracle" boy.

Donna Douglass, 21, hopes that if they discover the cause of son Brandon's death they can save his twin, Bradley.

But despite two post-mortem examinations and numerous tests, specialists have no idea what caused Brandon's heart failure.

Miss Douglass said both boys fought for life after they were born 12 weeks premature at James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Miss Douglass, of Middlesbrough, said: "They have been my miracle babies to survive so much. It has been so heartbreaking to lose Brandon after he fought so hard to live.

"Doctors think it could be a genetic problem with the twins, or something to do with their immune system. But they don't know."

The boys were born by Caesarean section on July 13, 2003. Brandon weighed just 2lb 3oz and Bradley 2lb 10oz.

They had a rare twin-to-twin transfusion, which meant Bradley was taking oxygen and nutrients from Brandon as there was only one placenta.

They were in hospital for three-and-a-half months undergoing various operations.

Both had lung problems due to premature birth and Brandon had laser eye surgery to prevent blindness. Bradley has perforated ear drums.

In recent weeks Brandon's health deteriorated dramatically and he was transferred to hospital in Newcastle where he suffered multiple seizures.

His kidneys then failed and he died on September 8.

His father, David Walker, 29, lives separately in Middlesbrough, but regularly visited his sons.