HUNDREDS of couples who won the battle to have children came together at a special event.

More than 500 people attended a party for Calderdale Royal Hospital’s assisted conception unit.

Among them were Craig and Emily Dunbar, of Greenfield Crescent in Grange Moor, who took nine-month-old daughter Alice to the event at the North Bridge Leisure Centre in Halifax.

Craig, 30, and Emily, 27, tried for about three years to get pregnant before turning to IVF. After having the treatment, they conceived within a month.

Civil engineer Craig said: “It brought us a lot closer together. You go through a lot, but it was all worth it.

“When we found out that Emily was pregnant we were over the moon.”

The party included a bouncy castle, clown and a buffet and each child was given either a teddy or an Easter egg.

Helen Marvel, lead nurse at the unit, said: “The assisted conception unit has gone from strength to strength and the annual party is always a great success.

“It is wonderful to see so many families come together and celebrate.”