Robert and Susan Smith are on cloud nine - all because of little Jack Liam.

The couple, of Aldbrough St John, near Richmond, went through hell after their much-loved only child, three-year-old Hannah died on the operating table. She had a rare heart defect, after inheriting a one-in-a-million genetic condition from her father.

So the couple - who desperately wanted a family - thought it would be too risky to try again.

But after exhaustive medical tests, the couple were given the all-clear to try again.

And at 6.42pm last Sunday, Jack was born at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, a healthy baby weighing in at 7lbs 20z.

"When he was born and he was all right, it was like a weight was lifted," said a delighted and relieved Robert, 37.

"I feel absolutely over the bloody moon ... I feel great," he added.

Susan, 35. said: "It was a big decision to take, to have another baby, but the gap was so big after losing Hannah, we had to take a chance."