Illogan baby Bailey Buckley leaves hospital for the first time to mark his 1st birthday

"MIRACLE" baby Bailey Buckley left hospital for the first time since he was born – and what more fitting time than to celebrate his first birthday.

Although only for part of the day, it was an incredible milestone for the poorly youngster.

His family did not expect to be able to take him outside Bristol Royal Hospital for Children because he was still recovering from major surgery carried out the week before.

But on the day his parents Leah Lucas and Anthony Buckley, from Illogan, were told they could take him to the local aquarium.

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And since then he has been allowed to go home for a few hours – a point the family has been desperate to reach.

Leah said: "It was totally amazing. We never expected it to happen after his operation and Bailey totally loved it – he loved watching all the fish and the lights.

"It was just so overwhelming and felt so real and right.

"I thought I'd be a nervous wreck, but I wasn't and everything felt so perfect."

Bailey was born with no pulmonary artery and other problems and was given little chance of survival.

The latest operation was partly to fit a new feeding tube as Bailey cannot feed himself as well as deal with a problem of his stomach, liver and bowel being stuck together. Doctors have started him on continuous feeds, but it is too early to tell how well he is doing.