HOLE-in-the-heart baby Hannah Wilson celebrates her first birthday today - and her parents are praying it will be the first of many.

Battler Hannah has spent much of her first year in hospital after being born prematurely with a serious heart defect.

She had a hole the size of a 50p piece in her heart and survived major surgery.

Hannah was back in hospital for more tests this week, though her family are hoping to have her home today to cut the cake.

Mother Elizabeth Wilson, of Wood Street, Bury, who is pictured with her miracle baby, was expecting triplets but Hannah was the only one to survive. She was born at 32 weeks.

"Eight weeks later they found a hole in her heart," said mum Elizabeth. "She was in hospital for ten weeks and had open heart surgery in March. Ever since then she has been in and out of hospital."

A problem with her stomach means that Hannah cannot take her food normally, and has to be tube-fed automatically during the night.

"Hannah goes blue now and then because she's not getting enough oxygen. She needs to keep going back to hospital because the doctors cannot do everything in one operation, Hannah could not survive that. She's had major surgery twice.

"I don't know how I would cope without my husband Andrew. At one time we both had to live in parents' accommodation at Alder Hey for two weeks to be with her."

Hannah was seen briefly on the TV programme "Children's Hospital" when they toured the intensive care unit at Alder Hey.

This is the second time the Wilson family has been "through the mill" with health problems: Hannah's sister Katherine (5) has had a kidney removed.

"I'm hoping they will let Hannah come home for her birthday," said Elizabeth earlier this week. "We want to celebrate in style, go out for a meal and take a trip to the zoo. The longest time Hannah has been at home is a month and we want her to lead as normal a life as possible."

Elizabeth added: "Every day, every month I am with her is a bonus."

"She will always be small, but she's very special. She's lucky to be here and we are so lucky to have her."

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