Born fighter Orlando Buckland is facing the battle of his life - after surviving 20 heart attacks in one day.

The tot was born three months premature with a life-threatening heart condition and his parents fear his fourth birthday this week could be his last.

Orlando has spent his life struggling with poor health and suffered the cardiac arrests after an operation on his heart valves failed.

Mum Ann Buckland, of Chesterfield Road, Goring, said: "Over 24 hours he had more than 20 heart attacks.

It was unbelievable. It was as bad as it can get.

"We had him baptised and said our goodbyes. It was a miracle he made it through the night."

Since he was born, Orlando has spent just two days at home in Goring with mum Ann and taxi driver dad Clayton.

At 11 weeks he weighed just 4lbs and underwent open heart surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

Three months later he had a series of heart attacks. The initial operation had not worked and Orlando immediately had to undergo the Ross Procedure - an operation which had only been performed on five babies in history.

Mrs Buckland said: "We were told they usually only carry out the procedure once patients reach 13, unless they are dying.

They wanted to wait a week to carry out the operation but after a few days he had another arrest in my arms."

Orlando survived the operation but his heart was so enlarged doctors couldn't close his chest cavity. He recovered and doctors hoped he would remain in good health but 18 months ago Orlando became ill again as his heart valves began to leak and he had a stroke.

Orlando suffers from critical aortic stenosis, which causes a valve in the heart to narrow or close.

The flow of blood through the valve is restricted and it can lead to heart failure.

He has limited movement down the right hand side of his body, epilepsy, asthma and cerebral palsy.

Every day he takes six types of medication, two or three times a day.

Mrs Buckland said: "It is a miracle he is here today.

We tried for five years to have him and needed IVF.

This might be his last birthday. We have been told he might die during surgery or afterwards when he is in recovery."

A difficult pregnancy and Orlando's heart condition caused him to be born premature.

Mrs Buckland said his illness has taken its toll on Madelyne and their eldest, Christopher, 18.

She said: "Christopher is doing his A-Levels so needs to concentrate on his exams, which is hard with all this going on.

"Madelyne is now terrified of ambulances because so many have come to our house. The poor little girl has been dealing with this since she was four."

The family make regular trips to London and have to stay in hotels while Orlando receives treatment.

Mrs Buckland's parents and sister help look after the other children.

On Thursday Orlando, who receives care at Chestnut Tree House children's hospice, turns four.

The ABC Fund, a charity which helps families with poorly children, has arranged for a limousine to take the family to Drusillas Park, near Eastbourne, as a birthday treat.

They will be given VIP treatment and have a barbecue.

Southern Water has provided a birthday cake.

The family became close to the family of Ellie Courant, a three-year-old who died earlier this year from a brain tumour.

Mrs Buckland said: "We've all been very upset over Ellie's death."