A PRESTON mother who didn't find out her daughter had Down's Syndrome until eight hours after she was born has praised an award-winning initiative which helps parents teach special needs children at home.

Louise Kramer, of Savick Way, Lea, had three boys already, but felt she didn't have the necessary skills to give Down's Syndrome baby Mae the best quality of life.

But then she heard about the Portage Services programme aimed at teaching pre-school children with special educational needs.

Now 21-month-old Mae is coming on in leaps and bounds and is living life to the full.

Louise, 37, said: "I cried for six months when Mae was born. I was grieving for the baby I thought I was carrying and not for the baby I had.

"Even after I gave birth they told me I had a healthy child. Mae was eight hours old before they told me she had Down's Syndrome."

Since her daughter was five months old Louise has received weekly visits from specially trained Portage Services worker Sandra Haythornwaite who helps teach Mae basic skills.

The visits feature an intensive play session aimed at encouraging Mae's development and Sandra sets a homework activity for Louise and Mae to do together.

She is also on hand to assist and advise Louise and husband Carl on helping their daughter reach her full potential.

The programme -- which has just scooped a Charter Mark for excellence in public service -- has been a blessing to the Kramer family who have watched their daughter develop into a little princess. "She has a beautiful personality and loves to dance to music and spend hours in the bath," said Louise. "The whole family enjoys helping with Mae's homework."

According to Louise, Mae mimics movements but is slower than her brothers and is taking longer to learn to walk and talk. She has even earned the nickname 'bossy knickers' because she grunts and pushes people away when she's fed up!

Louise said: "Mae really enjoys Sandra's visits and I like working with her to set the weekly activities."

County Councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education and young people, said: "The consistently high standard of the Portage Service was praised by the Charter Mark team, as well as the way they strive for continual improvement."

To find out more about Portage Services contact 01772 904783.