A THREE-month-old baby boy who defied the odds to stay alive has been allowed home for the first time.

Little Jack Barnes was critically ill when he was born by Caesarean section on April 14 at Queen's Park Hospital, in Blackburn.

He was immediately taken from his mother, Heather, to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, due to complications caused by his poor development in the womb.

Now his family have launched a fundraising drive to help bring a smile to the faces of other sick children after being touched by their plight.

Heather, 34, and her husband Stuart, 27, were warned when he was born that two of the valves in his heart, which should have closed, were open. He also had severe kidney problems and his bowels had not developed properly.

Mrs Barnes, a housewife, of Altham Lane, Altham, said: "It was a devastating shock. If it hadn't been for the intensive care doctors then he would have died."

Mrs Barnes said Jack underwent two major seven-hour operations to build a new bowel, treat a hernia and clear a blockage in his stomach.

"This is the first week we have had him at home with us. It has been really tough trying to juggle trips to the hospital with looking after our four-year-old, Sam.

"Friends and family have been wonderful, as have the staff at all the hospitals Jack has attended."

Jack had to be fitted with a colostomy bag, which hopefully as he develops will be removed, and when he grows stronger will undergo surgery to cure the holes in his heart.

Two nurses from St Mary's and a community nurse still visit Jack twice a week to help administer painful aftercare.

Now Mrs Barnes, along with farmer Stuart, she is planning a charity evening at Poplar Working Men's Club, in Accrington, on September 25, to collect cash for the hospital.

She said: "We need to raise as much money as possible to give these children whatever they need." There are 300 tickets on sale for £15. Call on 01282 779806.