THE mother of a baby who was just two weeks away from being 'left to die' is backing a national petition to help save the lives of babies who are born regardless of their gestation.

Natalie Ann Taylor from Oswaldtwistle gave birth to her daughter Diamond Rose at just 26 weeks on June 22.

She is now calling for people to sign the petition as her baby girl recovers at Burnley's Women and Newborn Centre.

Mum-of-five Miss Taylor, who is originally from Burnley, said: “I can’t believe that if I had given birth two weeks earlier she wouldn’t have been given any support and would have been left to die.

“It’s such a scary situation to be in I can’t believe that the outcome could have been devastating if I had given birth earlier.”

According to medical experts, babies born before 24 weeks are too under-developed to survive, and the use of aggressive treatment methods would only prolong their suffering, or inflict pain.

Studies also show that one per cent of babies born before 23 weeks survive and many suffer serious disabilities.

Miss Taylor, 26, a care worker at White Ash Brook Nursing Home, said that the staff at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust have been 'fantastic'.

She said: “Diamond-Rose is still in hospital fighting away and without the staff she would not be here. They all worked and saved her life they have been just fantastic.

"I went into labour really quickly although I had been having pains in the previous weeks. I am just happy that she decided to hold on and come after the 26 week period."

Little Diamond-Rose should be able to join her siblings Ebony-Leigh, seven, Evie-Grace, five, Riley-James, two and one-year-old Junior-Jay at their home by the end of September.

Along with her partner, Boyd Townsend, Miss Taylor will be organizing a fundraising event to raise money for East Lancashire’s NICU – where Diamond-Rose is receiving her care.

Miss Taylor said: “We want to give something back to the hospital because without their hard work and dedication we wouldn’t have our baby girl.

“We are in the process of arranging the event and want as many people to come long as possible to raise money as well as signing the petition this will be a huge help."

For more information or to sign the petition visit www.change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-lower-the-term-on-when-s-premature-babys-can-be-saved-a-life-is-a-life-regardless.