A MIRACLE boy who survived against the odds after being born three months early is looking forward to Christmas with his family.

Talay Winstanley, weighed just one and a half pounds at birth and had to be transferred from the Royal Bolton Hospital to an intensive care unit in Preston.

Three years on, he is at Grosvenor Nursery School in Kearsley, and is set to start primary school next September.

Proud parents Jade, aged 27, and Sean, aged 28, of Tennyson Road, Farnworth, have spoken of their joy at being able to spend Christmas with their son.

Mrs Winstanley, who has spent the last three years caring for her son, admits that, at one point, a “normal family Christmas” did not look possible.

She said: “We’re so thankful to be spending Christmas with Talay. When he was born, I didn’t think that I would have many Christmases with him — it’s going to be very emotional.

“He’s very excited about Christmas, especially now that he understands it a bit more.

“Myself and Sean are so proud of him. He’s a pleasure to be around. He just puts a smile on everyone’s faces.

“Talay’s come on leaps and bounds since he’s joined nursery. He absolutely loves it. They call him a bubbly little character and he’s a very popular boy.”

Talay, who will celebrate his fourth birthday in February, could not speak as recently as last year, and was struggling with his medication.

But the youngster is now speaking and has got his medication sorted.

His health has also improved, since he was put on a high calorie diet.

Talay, who has a sister, Kyla, aged 18 months, said he wants a toy dinosaur from Father Christmas — and his father is convinced he will be rewarded for his good behaviour this year.

Mr Winstanley said: “Talay just keeps saying how much he loves Christmas, he’s a little chatterbox now. I’m really proud of him — he deserves this.

“He’s like my best mate, he is everything to me. When he was born, it was the best day of my life and I’m glad I can enjoy moments like this with him. He’s a miracle, a little star.”