One of the youngest children to survive a premature birth is out of hospital in time for Mother's Day.

Eva Saunders was given just a 5% chance of survival when she was born at 23 weeks weighing just 1lb 2oz.

Her legs were just the size of her mother Chloe Suggitt's little finger and the youngster's distraught parents feared the little girl would never leave hospital.

But Eva was tougher than she looked and almost six months later is happy and thriving back at the family home in Bexhill.

Eva is developing just like any other baby, even though most youngsters born so prematurely normally suffer brain damage along with sight and hearing problems.

As the family celebrated their first Mother's Day together this weekend, Ms Suggitt, 24, and her partner Dale Saunders, 26, spoke of the “overwhelming” support they had received from friends, family and hospital staff at St George's Hospital in London.

Ms Suggitt, who works for Nationwide, said her daughter looked like a illustration in a baby development book when she was born as her skin was so transparent.

When she had a heart operation at eight weeks old the needle for the anaesthetic was as long as she was.

She said: “The nurses and doctors had never seen the survival of a baby as premature as Eva.

“She is phenomenal. I get tearful just thinking about how far she has come.

“She is alert and always smiling.

“She was on oxygen when she first came home but is being weaned off it.

“My mum, family and friends helped me and Eva's dad pull through.”

Ms Suggitt added: “Sadly many babies born as premature as Eva do not survive or are very poorly so I know we have been very lucky to bring her home.

“I was determined she would not be put through any unnecessary stress or painful treatments and told the doctors as such.

But she is stronger than we thought. Her dad and I love her so much.”

Little Eva spent the first four months of her life in hospital after her birth on September 29 before finally being allowed home at the end of January, a week after her “official” due date.

Ms Suggitt, and Mr Saunders, 26, a plumber, are now helping to raise money for the special care baby unit at St George's Hospital in London.

The world's most premature surviving baby is James Gill, who was born at 21 weeks and five days in Canada.

He was heavier than Eva weighing 1lb 6oz.

Very few babies born in the UK at Eva's weight each year manage to survive.