While she is now thriving at home with her parents, she has not had a traditional start to family life.

Holly was due at the end of September this year and her family were excitedly awaiting her arrival.

Little did they know that Holly was planning to meet them on July 2 weighing two pounds, six ounces which, although small, is a healthy weight for a baby of that age.

Philip, 27 and his wife Amanda, 26, from Cinnamon Brow weren’t expecting a premature delivery for their first child.

Amanda started to get worried when she couldn’t feel Holly moving.

Philip said: “My wife said she hadn’t felt the baby move as much.

“We rang the hospital and they said to come in.

“We went, and they monitored the baby, so we stayed in overnight and it got to the point where everything seemed okay.

“Then Amanda started feeling some pain and a few hours later she was in early labour.

“After that we just had to get ready for the baby.

“No-one could believe it.

“We were all looking forward to September, so no-one was expecting that.”

Only two days after she was born, Holly suffered a bleed in her lungs and was sent to the neonatal unit in Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

Holly received expert care and was soon well enough to be transferred back to Warrington.

After returning to Warrington Hospital, Holly stayed there for nine weeks with her parents before she was able to see her new home for the first time.

Philip said: “After she left, she still only weighed four pounds, 11 ounces.

“But, from what I’ve heard, that’s a really good weight for a baby born at that time.

“It was weird bringing Holly home.

“She was still so small and just got lost in the car seat.

“It was a whole new world for her.”

Philip and Amanda have praised the care and treatment which Holly received in hospital.

Philip said: “The staff were amazing.

“One of the midwives went through everything with us and they told us exactly what was going to happen.

“Over the two months we got to know the staff really well.”

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