A FIRST birthday is a magical moment in any child's life, but it is one Tilly Jepson's parents feared she might never make.

Tilly, who celebrates the milestone today, spent the first three months of her life in special care after being born 12 weeks early, weighing just 1lb 7oz.

Her mum, Nicola, had developed the life threatening condition pre-eclampsia and Tilly had to be delivered by emergency Caesarean section at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit.

But one year on Nicola and husband Carl, of Eastwood Close, off Hulton Lane, Deane, can hardly believe their daughter is the same child who spent weeks being fed intravenously and wired up to heart monitors in an oxygen tank.

A good appetite and a zest for life has seen Tilly grow to a respectable fifteen and a half pounds.

"She is a good eater and she likes her puddings better than her main courses," said Carl.

Despite being still on the small side compared to her contemporaries, Tilly is catching up rapidly.

She proudly shows off two teeth, is almost walking and loves chasing her grandparents' pet dog in her baby walker.

"Dada", "Mama" and "Nana" are her favourite words and her education is being helped along by six-year-old cousin Sasha Greenhalgh, who loves playing "teachers" with her.

The family is gathering today to celebrate Tilly's birthday in style with a party.

"This has been a long time coming," said Carl. "At the time she was born we thought this day was a million miles away."

CRITICAL DAYS: Tilly in the special care baby unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital

. She was delivered 12 weeks early