A MOTHER today spoke of her joy after her baby, who was born 13 weeks premature, was finally allowed home after nearly four months in intensive care.

Michelle Whalley, 36, of Fosse Close, Blackburn and her partner, Billy Allison, 52, were told that their daughter Hayley might not survive after she was born weighing just 1lb 12oz.

But they were over the moon when they were finally allowed out of Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn.

Taking home Hayley was a special moment for Michelle, who suffered three miscarriages last year.

Hayley was born on January 18. Her mother had been taken to hospital as she was haemorrhaging when she was 19 weeks pregnant. She stayed in for seven weeks and was taken to the labour ward seven times, losing eight pints of blood in total. Michelle said: "They told me I was going to lose the baby. She was born when I was 27 weeks pregnant. was going through labour and the staff had been on stand-by seven times before, but in the end she just came out and nobody was ready for her. The hospital staff were brilliant and they saved her life. She now weighs 5lb 12oz."

Michelle had visited the hospital three times a day to feed Hayley while she was in intensive care.

Hayley is back home in Fosse Close, Blackburn, and Michelle's two other children, Donna, 13, and nine-year-old Dominic, are also delighted.

Michelle said: "They came up to visit me every day before Hayley was born, and there were a lot of tears every night.

"It's fantastic to have her home. Nobody expected Hayley to survive. It's amazing that she's here today. I'd like to think her story would give other people hope.

"I'd like to thank the staff on the C7 labour ward and the neo-natal unit. I'm very grateful to them for our little girl."