THREE sisters who were all born early are mounting a Light Up The Night walk on Saturday to raise awareness of premature births.

Winsford schoolgirls Laurel Smith, 13, and her sisters, Elora, six, and Paisley, four, hope their fundraising efforts will help researchers find out why so many babies arrive early.

The girls were all born in America where they became ambassadors for the charity March of Dimes, which supports families and funds lifesaving research into birth defects.

The sisters emigrated from Florida in May last year to join their dad Kevin who was born in Winsford.

Their mum Audra Adkins said: "Our family has always been involved in fundraising for premature babies.

"Laurel wanted to find a way to bring this to the attention of people here and raise some money.

"I was very proud of her for doing her research. She found out about the charity Bliss which helps babies who are born premature or sick."

Around 90,000 babies are born in the UK each year needing neonatal care and half a million in the USA.

Laurel arrived eight weeks early, Elora came nine weeks ahead of her due date and Paisley was born 14 weeks premature.

Audra said: "We've had our share of living in neonatal intensive care units and seeing other babies who didn't make it home.

"This is something that is close to our hearts."

Laurel, a pupil at Winsford Academy and her family will be setting off from her sisters's school Darnhall Primary on Sandyhill Road at 5.15pm on Saturday - carrying lanterns.

"She is really excited about it," said Audra, who works at home as a graphic designer. "She is doing her Duke of Edinburgh is in the school football team. She volunteered for Winsford Library over the summer and she is part of the school drama club and Vale Royal Juniors.

"She recently became one of the school's primary readers and reads to children in primary school."

Laurel, who read to her youngest sister Paisley when she was in intensive care, will be releasing biodegradable environmentally friendly lanterns into the sky at the end of the walk at the Old Star pub on Swanlow Lane.

"We managed to have three children born prematurely and they all came out healthy," added Audra. "But I lost a baby and when I delivered the middle one I had a stroke.

"If we could help prevent the death of one baby and find the cause of premature labour and birth defects that would be great.

"We want to remember all the premature babies who didn't make it by letting off lanterns on an open field."

Anyone is welcome to join the walk.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/laurel-smith1