Little Joe Radley-Martin is back at home for Christmas after being rushed into hospital with pneumonia.

Only a week ago, his mother Anna thought the three-year-old would have to spend Christmas Day in hospital.

But Joe stunned hospital workers and his family by making a startling recovery.

His progress was so good, doctors at Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton agreed to let him go home.

Mrs Radley-Martin says the family is delighted they will be able to celebrate together at their home in Edith Avenue, Peacehaven.

She said: "Joe was really poorly. Only a few days ago, he was lying in hospital, looking washed out and having oxygen. He was being given his medicine through a drip. He wasn't at all well and everyone was really worried. With something like pneumonia, you always start to imagine the worst."

Joe became unwell around December 10 but at first Mrs Radley-Martin and her husband Alan thought he was developing a cold.

It was only when the youngster was too ill to open his birthday presents on December 13 they realised something was seriously wrong.

Mrs Radley-Martin said: "We had seen our GP and we were keeping a check on Joe. The doctor came to see him again and said we should take him for an X-ray.

"Joe had been so excited about his birthday but on the day he just didn't have the energy. In the end, we had to cancel his birthday party and take him to hospital instead."

Staff at the Royal Alexandra started Joe on a course of antibiotics to clear the infection after they found a patch on one of his lungs.

But he developed a second patch on the other lung and became seriously ill.

Mrs Radley-Martin, 33, and her husband, 30, took it in turns to visit Joe in hospital and stay with him overnight.

Mr Radley-Martin, who is a self-employed gardener, had to take time off work to visit Joe and look after the couple's other child Kelly, nine.

Mrs Radley-Martin, who works part time in a sandwich bar, is expecting her third child in April.

She said: Joe's illness has put things into perspective and just having him home again is wonderful. It wouldn't have been the same without him here."

Joe is now back to his boisterous self and enjoying the birthday presents he was too sick to look at before.

He is looking forward to Christmas Day and can't wait to see what Father Christmas will bring.

Mrs Radley-Martin said: "We are just so relieved he has recovered so well and was able to come home in time.

"Now we can really celebrate in style and have a great Christmas. We can't thank the people at the hospital enough. They were brilliant."