Since the new South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen opened its doors recently, there has been a number of firsts and now there has been the arrival of the first set of twins in its maternity department.

School teacher Claire McAloon, of St. Patrick's Primary, Derrygonnelly gave birth to twins - brother and sister, Pearse and Teagan at the weekend and both are doing well.

Pearse, who weighed in at 7lbs., 3 and a half ounces, and Teagan, 5lbs., 14 and a half ounces, entered the world in the early hours of June 30; Teagan arrived first at 2.50am followed by Pearse at 3.13am.

And for the thrilled parents of the little bundles of joy, Claire and husband Leo, it came as a complete surprise what sex they would be.

The couple's older daughter, Tara, aged seven and a half, is said to be "just over the moon to say that she has a little brother and sister." All went well for Claire, who delivered her babies at 38 weeks' gestation. This week she paid tribute to the new South West Acute Hospital and its staff, whom she said she "cannot praise enough" for what they did. They were "really good", believes Claire.

Looking forward to the delightful duo joining them at the family home, Claire expects they will be busy getting organised when she brings them home as she wanted to wait until the babies arrived rather than do anything beforehand.

Undoubtedly the summer holidays from school will prove somewhat different this year for Claire, a member of Churchhill Ladies' running group, who will be only too happy to expend her energy running after the family's newest additions.