WHEN Matthew Kent was born, he was lighter than a bag of sugar but today he is enjoying his first full day at home.

Baby Matthew was delivered on July 27, 15 weeks early and weighted just 1lb 10.5oz.

And his parents Karen, 34, and Paul, 35, from Liden did not dare hope that he would survive.

"When he was born, his head was about the size of a tennis ball. They had to put especially made nappies on him and even then they reached up to his arm pits," said Paul, a post man.

"It was touch and go at first and we never really relaxed, but as each day went by we knew that his chances of survival were improving. We are really looking forward to looking after him at home. We know it is going to be hard work, but we don't mind that at all."

Thanks to the dedicated care of staff in the special care baby unit, little Matthew has managed to pile on the pounds during his 114 day stay in hospital and now weighs in at a much healthier 5lb 13oz.

The joy of Matthew's birth inevitably bought back memories of their other son Nathan, who was also born prematurely, three years ago but died after two days.

After his funeral the couple presented £550 to the special care baby unit the money donated instead of flowers by friends and relatives.

Karen said: "I spent four days in the delivery room at Princess Margaret Hospital as staff worked hard to keep my baby inside me for as long as possible.

"And when Matthew was born I was thinking 'Oh no, not again.' Obviously I was worried about whether he would survive."

Baby Matthew was immediately placed into an incubator and taken to the hospital's special care baby unit where he was placed in intensive care. Because he was born so early, the baby suffered a number of complications.

These included a faulty valve in his heart which normally closes when the babies are born to allow blood to be pumped around the body by the heart, and a hernia.

These have been successfully operated on.

He also has chronic lung disease, because his lungs are not mature enough to breathe air properly.

And although he is still breathing with the help of a ventilator, the condition should resolve itself as he gets older.

Although he was sedated for most of the time at first, he was gradually nursed to health thanks to the skill and dedication of the staff in the unit. And five weeks ago, when Matthew's weight reached 3lb 8oz he was taken out of the incubator.

"I knew he was a little fighter. He was kicking away inside me from quite early on, but it was only after about five or six weeks that I was able to fully relax.

"The staff at the hospital have been great. I would like to pay tribute to all the nurses and doctors in the Special Care Baby Unit.

"They were just so caring. They not only looked after Matthew but they were very supportive towards us as well.

"Because we have been coming in here so often, we have got to know the staff very well and become friends.

"We were always made to feel welcome. I suppose it is something we will miss in some ways.

"Our family and friends have also been very supportive towards us, constantly asking after Matthew to see how he was getting on. Everyone has been great."