AT JUST nine months old, twin brothers Jake and Alex Hancock do not realise they owe their lives to their sister. The critically ill twins have just had a life-saving transplant operation using bone marrow donated by three-year-old Rebecca.

The lives of the Hancock family from Bower Street, Maidstone, were shattered when, after months of ill heath, Jake and Alex were diagnosed with the rare life-threatening condition severe combined immuno-deficiency (SCID). They were admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, in May, where their only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant.

Their mother Emma, 23, said: "If it hadn't been found out they wouldn't have reached their first birthdays. It has been shocking." Neither she nor her husband Tim, 26, were suitable bone marrow matches but when Rebecca was found to be compatible, she agreed to donate.

"I was a bit scared to begin with," said Mrs Hancock. "How do you explain it all to a three-year-old? But she was quite happy and wanted to help her brothers get better."

Mr Hancock's mother Jenny Hancock, who along with Emma's parents has looked after Rebecca while her parents travel to London, said: "Rebecca loves them to pieces and hopefully she has given them the biggest gift she possibly could - life."

The twins were in hospital for two months and the transplant operations took place on Wednesday, June 5. The boys are now back home but are still having fortnightly check-ups in London. Rebecca's bravery has been honoured by her playschool leader, Jayne Laurie, who nominated her for the Fisher-Price national Rescue Heroes award.

Mrs Laurie, who owns the Pitstop Playschool in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, said: "We are very, very proud of her. You would never believe she had been through anything. She came through it extremely well." Rebecca has been chosen by Fisher-Price as a national winner. She is due to be presented with her certificate and a Rescue Hero toy at the playschool's sports day. She was also given a scooter from her brothers as a thank-you present.