THE parents of a seriously-ill baby became engaged as they held a hospital bedside vigil for their daughter.

Tony Jackson proposed to Kellie Skeoch three days after their daughter, Caitlyn, was born with a severe heart defect.

The baby, who arrived on her father's 18th birthday, faces a two-month wait before doctors can operate to repair the heart.

Until then Tony and Kellie are keeping a vigil at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

Kellie, also 18, said: "We have been told that she has to be 9lb in weight, or three months old, before they can operate, so she can build up her strength."

To compound matters Caitlyn, who was born on December 14 and weighed 7lb 2oz, has a cleft lip, making it difficult for her to feed.

Kellie said: "She is fine, but gets out of breath when she feeds. And when she cries her forehead goes purple and she gets tired very quickly."

The couple, who live in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, are confident their daughter will pull through.

Kellie said: "We have been assured she has a 95 per cent chance of coming out of it fit and healthy."

Kellie found out she was three months pregnant the day before she and Tony were due to go on holiday. She only told Tony when they returned. Doctors found the defect after a 20-week scan.

They said Caitlyn had a complete form atrioventricular septal defect - instead of just a hole in the heart she has no wall between the chambers of the heart and has only one valve instead of two.

They also feared Caitlyn could have Down's Syndrome, but tests revealed she did not have the condition.

Tony said: "Having Caitlyn has made us feel we have a joint responsibility.

"I thought proposing to Kellie was the most appropriate thing to do - apart from loving her to bits, I want to be there for them both."

Kellie said: "We have had our ups and downs, but this has brought us closer together."