MIRACLE baby Tilly-Jo Jepson, who owes her life to the wonder of science, has finally left hospital -- hours before a visit by the Duchess of York.

After three months of intensive nursing, the Bolton baby born by emergency Caesarean section at just 28 weeks, went home.

The fighting youngster has already captured the hearts of nursing staff at the special care baby unit at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit in Royal Bolton Hospital for her amazing battle for life.

Dad Carl, a Bolton insurance worker, said: "She wasn't even due to be born yet -- and already she has gone through so much. It's a miracle what science can do."

Tilly-Jo weighed in at less than a bag of sugar when doctors carried out the section, but now she weighs a healthy 6lbs.

Mum Nicola suffered the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia when she was 28 weeks pregnant.

And Tilly-Jo, who was yesterday finally surrounded by teddy bears and the comforts of home in Eastwood Close, Bolton, left before the Duchess could catch a glimpse of her in the neo-natal unit.

Tilly-Jo spent three months being fed intravenously and wired up to heart monitors in an oxygen tank.

Carl, who is going to take a break from work to spend more time with his family, said: "The staff have been fantastic.

"We've been travelling to the Royal Bolton Hospital every day. It's like we were on autopilot.

"It's been very traumatic, but Tilly-Jo has been amazing. She's piled on the pounds and is now fit to come home."

Carl added: "I think Tilly-Jo is making a statement by missing Fergie's visit. She really doesn't want to be in the limelight and has decided it's time to come home!"

Fergie visited the Minerva Road hospital site earlier today in a whirlwind tour as guest of the children's hospital charity, CHAT.

She was due to tour the neo-natal unit and cut the first turf for building work on a new parental suite and family rooms at the baby unit.

The £155,000 suite will be for families of children being nursed in the neo-natal unit. It will contain a counselling room and overnight accommodation for parents.

Carl said: "Staff at the moment admit that the facilities aren't really up to scratch. There is a desperate need for privacy for parents. It can be an ordeal visiting your child in intensive care. It is very traumatic."