Toddler Evan Bates fell 15ft from a fire escape on to concrete and miraculously escaped with just cuts and bruises.

The two-year-old lay unconscious for 24 hours in intensive care as his parents kept a bedside vigil.

But, just as doctors began to fear the worst, the youngster suddenly woke and asked for his blanket and some sweets.

Just two days later he was back at home nursing nothing more than a couple of minor cuts and bruises. His relieved mum Vicky said: "I can't describe how relieved we feel. It really is a miracle."

The drama unfolded after the toddler wandered off from the front of his grandparents' home as he played with sisters Jordan, nine, Jessica, seven, brother Ethan, four, and neighbouring children.

He managed to clamber up the steps of a fire escape of a building just 30 yards from their front door. He lost his footing and fell to the ground below.

His grandfather George Peden, of Eden Street, Bowburn, County Durham, scooped up the unconscious youngster and drove him to the University Hospital of North Durham. His wife Pauline dialled 999 and police rushed to the scene tom provide an escort for Mr Peden's car. Evan was later transferred by ambulance to the intensive care unit at Newcastle General Hospital.

As his parents Vicky, 27, and dad Paul, 29, began to lose hope, Evan amazed doctors by suddenly coming round, and asking for his favourite blanket and sweets his grandfather had bought.

Two days later he was back at his home in Park Hill, Coxhoe, County Durham, to the delight and relief of his mum Vicky said: "I cannot describe how I feel now he's back at home. For 24 hours we were sure we had lost him."