A HARLOW man has beaten all the odds to become the father of twins despite undergoing chemotherapy which left him infertile more than a decade ago.

Darren Cooper, 31, underwent the life-saving treatment after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease a cancer of the lymph glands.

But before the chemotherapy began, he heeded the advice of his grandfather and had some of his sperm frozen and stored at Bourne Hall in Cambridge the recognised centre of excellence for assisted conception set up by test-tube birth pioneers Dr Patrick Steptoe and Professor Robert Edwards.

Darren met Debbie, 28, shortly afterwards, and they went on to wed in 1995.

Following two years of unsuccessful IVF treatment, the couple were told last March that Debbie was finally pregnant. Twins Drew and Reece were born on November 20 on what Darren described as "the best day of our lives."

For the past two years Darren has worked as a carpenter at Raytheon Systems Limited at the Pinnacles in Harlow.

He said: "All of my colleagues have been very supportive during this difficult time for Debbie and me, and they've all congratulated me since the birth of the twins.

"I'm extremely proud and grateful to Debbie for having the courage and patience to go through all that she has, to have given life to these little miracles. She is a fantastic wife and mother. Neither of us could have asked for a better Christmas present."

Raytheon general manager Ian Bainbridge said: "Everyone at our Harlow site was delighted to hear Darren and Debbie's news and we wish them every happiness with their new family."