TWO-WEEK-OLD twins were given a special send off from hospital when they got a visit from an ex-Mayor this week.

Identical twins Umar and Usman Akram were born weighing just three and four pounds at Queen’s Hospital in Romford.

Born a week premature, Umar stayed at the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) a while longer to make sure he gained enough weight.

But on the day he was due to go home to join his brother Usman and three older siblings, the boys and their mum had the unexpected surprise of bumping into the ex-Mayor of Havering.

Cllr Brian Eagling was visiting Queen’s to deliver a £5,400 cheque he and his wife Bunny donated to the NICU to ensure all premature babies born in Barking, Havering and Redbridge grow into healthy, happy toddlers.

He said: “It’s lovely to be back at Queen’s and be able to help local families and their babies.

“My wife worked as a medical secretary on the unit so we have a real connection with it.”

Umar and Usman’s mum Shama, of Woodlands Road, Ilford, said her little boy’s homecoming was made all the more special by the former Mayor’s visit.

The 33-year-old said: “We’re really excited to have both the boys at home – we’ll be celebrating tonight for sure.”