IT WAS a day of celebration they thought they would never see.

The first birthday of tiny miracle boy Matthew Wing was celebrated with a party at Southampton General Hospital.

Matthew was given just a 50 per cent chance of surviving when he was born four months prematurely.

He was smaller than a packet of biscuits, weighing just 1.5lb and measuring only 6in long.

Doctors thought Donna Taylor was miscarrying when she went into labour so early, but tiny Matthew arrived kicking and screaming and has been fighting ever since.

Donna and Matthew's dad, 42-year-old Barry Wing, celebrated their son's first birthday with the doctors and nurses in the high dependency unit, where Matthew has spent most of his first 12 months.

Donna, 36, said: "Matthew loved it. But it was a bit overwhelming, as we never thought we would get this far. It was a day we never thought we'd see."

Instead of presents for Matthew, the Netley Common couple asked for donations and collected £318 for the high dependency unit.

Matthew went home for the first time at the weekend. He spent a few hours on Saturday and a few hours on Sunday at home, but has had to go back into hospital as he is fighting a chest infection.

Donna and Barry have had to learn how to use the equipment that Matthew might need when he does come home, including a ventilator and oxygen.

Donna said: "We are still working towards getting Matthew well enough to leave the unit. He has got very premature lungs that aren't strong enough yet. He will grow out of it eventually.

"He is fantastic - he is so content and a real fighter."