LITTLE Ashtyn Cole, born 14 weeks prematurely, has made it a special Christmas for his proud parents - after he was allowed home from hospital in time for the big day.

Richard Smith

LITTLE Ashtyn Cole, born 14 weeks prematurely, has made it a special Christmas for his proud parents - after he was allowed home from hospital in time for the big day.

His arrival is the perfect present for young parents, Leah Thompson, 17, and Ricky Cole, 19, and will make their celebrations at home in Stowmarket all the more special.

Miss Thompson said: ''I don't know what we will get him for Christmas, he is still so small and his clothes are miles too big for him.

''I am so glad to have him home because I didn't want him to be in hospital for his first Christmas and this is going to be my best ever Christmas.''

Miss Thompson, a former pupil of Great Cornard Upper School, was airlifted to a hospital in Kent in a Sea King helicopter from Wattisham Airfield when there were no specialist places available closer to her home in Stowmarket.

She had gone into labour 26 weeks into her pregnancy, on October 8, and gave birth two days later. Ashtyn weighed just 2lbs and he has been having treatment in special care baby units in Kent and at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.

Miss Thompson took a lift every day to spend a few hours at Ashtyn's cot but now he is home she can cuddle and show him off like any proud mother.

''I can walk round and say I have got my baby home at last, instead of everyone asking when he is coming back. He is doing really well, although he is still very small,'' she said.

Balloons and banners were put up to welcome the tiny tot home when he arrived on Wednesday and he is becoming stronger every day and gaining weight.

Miss Thompson said: ''It is great to have him here. He is doing really well, he is now 5lbs three-and-a-half ounces, and at this rate he is getting a big boy compared with what he was.

''On Christmas Day we will have all my family coming round, and my partner's family, and it is going to be jam packed.''

She added she was very grateful to the crew at Wattisham Airfield who helped her in her hour of need, and to all the staff in the hospitals who attended her and Ashtyn.