A PREMATURE baby who weighed just 1lb 9oz when he was born returned home today after five months in hospital.

And to mark the occasion his overjoyed family handed over two new baby monitors as a special thank you gift.

Connor Cougill was born 17 weeks early in October and spent his first two months of life in intensive care at Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital in Haslingden Road, where his mum Laura, 16, dad Grant, grandad Trevor and grandma Elaine visited him every day.

Five months later the bouncing baby is back home with his family in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, where he now weighs in at a healthy 8lb 4oz. Connor's grandad Trevor, 44, joined staff at the neo-natal unit at the hospital to present them with the two new monitors.

The monitors, which will help babies like Connor, were paid for by cash raised by Hyndburn councillor and family friend of the Cougill's Marion Raynor.

Coun Raynor raised £900 for the hospital by completing Longridge's seven-mile road race last year.

Trevor said: "It's great to have him back where he belongs. Thanks to the dedication of the staff at Queen's Park the little fella has pulled through."