LITTLE Emily Kirkwood has had a five-month battle for life.

She was born four months prematurely at the Royal Bolton Hospital and weighed just 1lb 1oz.

Tragically, her twin sister, Lucy, died in the womb early in the pregnancy and could not be delivered until Emily arrived.

But today her parents, Angela Kirkwood, aged 32, and Peter, Farley, aged 23, were looking forward to the future after doctors said Emily - who now weighs a healthy eight pounds - should be well enough to return home in the new year.

Shop assistant Angela, of Le Gendre Street, Tonge Moor, said today: "It has been a very emotional and tough time, but Emily is a real ray of hope.

"I went for a special scan 23 weeks into the pregnancy and was told Emily's sister had died. The doctors couldn't operate because it would have endangered Emily so I had to come to terms with carrying them both.

"But a few days later with no warning Lucy came and I was rushed to hospital where I gave birth to Emily the next day. The doctors warned me the first 24 hours would be critical.

"Now we know she is coming home we're so excited and have been getting the house ready. She will be in hospital for Christmas, but it will be the best ever."

Emily needed expert care from staff at the neo natal unit of Royal Bolton Hospital. During her stay, she was cared for in a special incubator and fed through tubes and a drip.

Emily suffers from chronic lung disease as a result of being born so premature and is recovering from an operation on her oesophagus. Only the future will tell if these complications will have a lasting effect.

But Angela says Emily is a symbol of hope. After she discovered the second baby had died in the womb, her father died unexpectedly.

Angela said life has been "psychologically very difficult" since the string of tragedies, but Emily and her brothers, Nathan, aged seven, and Kyle, who is nearly three, have given her strength.

She added: "I have been going backwards and forwards to the hospital to see Emily. But I've also been going to Booth Hall Children's Hospital in Manchester because Kyle has just had surgery for a cleft lip and palate.

"Losing Lucy and then my dad's death were obviously really hard, but the kids pulled me through. Emily is a little miracle, a real fighter. So naturally I have to fight for them.

"Emily is not out of the woods yet. She still has oxygen tubes in her nose and it could be years before we know if she'll be a normal, healthy girl. But she is perfect and we're thrilled she will soon be home."