A BABY born weighing just 1lb 15oz survived thanks to an NHS baby unit which may be forced to shut down.

"Tiny miracle" Evie Hodgson was born 11 weeks early and needed round-the-clock care.

She pulled through thanks to specialist doctors and nurses at a dedicated baby unit.

After a seven-week battle, she was returned to her parents at Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton.

Now new mum Caroline Hodgson, 26, is praying the baby unit at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton will be saved.

She said: "Without them, she wouldn't be here."

Evie was born at 29 weeks after her mum developed pre-eclampsia, which affects the placenta and puts the lives of both baby and mother at risk.

Mrs Hodgson said: "I was in a week and then had her by Caesarean. She was taken to the special care unit.

"It was very frightening. She was so skinny and pink and she was all furry -like a little, skinned rabbit! My mum got such a shock when she saw her she just burst into tears."

Mrs Hodgson, a primary school teacher, believes they have been very lucky.

She said: "She's perfect now and I couldn't ask for more. She's our tiny miracle."

An independent report has recommended the closure of the special care baby unit. Instead, mothers and babies would have to travel to Hartlepool. A three-month consultation exercise is under way.

Mrs Hodgson said: "The neo-natal ward were brilliant, so supportive. To close it would be such a shame.

"I would have had to travel to Middlesbrough or Hartlepool and it might have been a different story."