Little Matthew Kent, who was born 15 weeks early, is back in hospital just days after being allowed to go home to his parents in Liden.

The 17-week-old baby weighed just 1lb 10.5oz when he was born at Princess Margaret Hospital on July 27 and doctors gave him just a 50 per cent chance of survival.

Matthew gained weight thanks to the care of staff in the special care baby unit and was taken home by his parents Karen and Paul Kent on November 18, weighing 5lb 13oz.

But unspecified health problems have meant he has had to be taken to Bristol Children's Hospital Intensive Care Unit, where hospital staff said his condition was stable and showing slow but steady improvement.

Because of his premature birth, Matthew suffered a number of complications. These included a faulty heart valve and a hernia, both of which were successfully operated on. He also has chronic lung disease, a condition common to premature babies whose lungs are not developed enough to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream efficiently.