Robust 12-year-old Tamsin Webb owes her life to the neo-natal intensive care unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The happy go lucky youngster, from Dallas Road, Chippenham, weighed only 3lb 7oz when she was born two months prematurely.

She spent six weeks in the unit being cared for by the nurses until she was strong enough to go home to her parents Yvonne and Martin.

On Tuesday Tamsin paid an emotional visit to the unit to pledge her support for a campaign to build a new neo-natal unit at the hospital, as well having a look for herself at how babies are cared for in the unit.

She said: "The babies in the unit were so small, I couldn't believe that I could once fit in one of the incubators.

"The nurses were really friendly and explained to me how they look after the babies."

As well as learning more about the unit, Sheldon School pupil Tamsin presented a cheque for £2,000 from local electricity company Western Power Distribution to the Space to Grow Campaign for premature babies.

The campaign has been launched to raise £4.5m to fund a new building to expand the care the neo-natal unit gives to fragile, premature or ill babies.

Tamsin's mother said: "It was a shock when Tamsin came so early and it was a very distressing time for all the family.

"It was four days before I could hold her properly and take her out of the incubator but the nurses were fantastic.

"They were really supportive and helped us all through the experience. Tamsin's brother Olly was only two at the time so it was difficult trying to explain to him why she was in the hospital.

"The staff were great with him as well when he came to visit and he would talk to her through the incubator glass."

Today Tamsin is one of the tallest girls in her class. A big sports fan, she plays for Chippenham FC on an all-girl team.

Sarah Bullock, community support manager of Western Power Distribution, said: "We are delighted to support the new NICU appeal and know that there are many children like Tamsin who owe a great deal to the fantastic care and support they received at the RUH when they were born."