MUMS today heaped praise on life-saving Dorset County Hospital staff for nursing their premature babies back to health.

Hayley Ellen Lewis was born three months early weighing 2lbs 2oz and has finally returned home to Princes Drive in Weymouth with mum Mandy Reynolds and dad Les Lewis.

After receiving round-the-clock care at the Dorchester special care baby unit (SCBU), she now weighs 6lbs 8oz. First-time mother Miss Reynolds, 35, kept vigil by her daughter's cot as doctors gave Hayley just a 50-50 chance of surviving.

Paying tribute to SCBU staff, the proud mum said: "Words are not enough to describe my relief that I can hold Hayley in my arms at home."

Meanwhile, SCBU nurses keep a close eye on little fighter Alfie Elliott Watkins, who was due on Christmas Eve but was born 16 weeks early.

He barely tipped the scales at lb 13oz but has put on weight to 2lbs 15oz.

Housewife Mrs Watkins, 34, of Mount Skippet Way in Crossways, said: "I know Alfie is in the best possible hands and it is lovely to see how he progresses. It's amazing, the staff know just what to do."

Thank-you cards and photographs of babies growing up fit and healthy crowd the walls in SCBU. Parents bring in their children so staff can share special celebrations like birthdays.

Senior staff nurse Helen Hutchin-son said: "We work our socks off, just like any other department in Dorset County Hospital. We feel very privileged to have this much support from the public."