A REMARKABLE toddler who survived cardiac arrest and a heart transplant has finally settled into a normal life.

The dedicated parents of Roman Williams, aged two, never thought they would see the day he would go to nursery - let alone the same one as his twin brother Hunter.

But thanks to the determination and hard work of Peapods Nursery in their home village of Fishburn, near Sedgefield, he began attending three weekly sessions and is thriving.

Mum Zoe Pickering, 27, said: "From the beginning we were told we might struggle getting Roman into a nursery because of his needs.

"It's great to see him being normal and it's even better to see kids treat him normally – they don't see his equipment but just see him.

"He's made a massive jump and I don't really know what to do with myself but it's nice to finally have that free time."

Roman was born with a rare condition called pulmonary atresia, a blockage in the blood flow from his heart to his lungs, and had 16 operations before undergoing a heart transplant before his first birthday.

A week after the operation, he was placed on a life-support machine and his parents warned he only had a 50-50 chance of survival.

However, Roman pulled through and was finally discharged from hospital in 2016 after spending the first 14 months of his life in hospital.

And despite breathing with the aid of a tracheostomy, being fed through a peg and further complications which have led to kidney failure and dependence on dialysis, Roman is desperate to lead a normal life.

In order to make his family's dream a reality, Peapods Nursery, at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, has gone the extra mile to accommodate his needs.

The team have been trained in CPR and learned how to handle Roman's tracheostomy and peg feed.

He also has a specially trained professional from Interserve Healthcare present at all times since starting nursery five weeks ago.

Deputy manager Jodie O'Donovan said: "It's been amazing to have him here and we're like proud nursery parents. In such a short time he has come on so far and al the kids have taken a shine to him."

During his time at the nursery Miss Pickering, who looks after her twins with partner Craig Williams, 33, revealed last week Roman uttered his first word "hiya" – and is moving more and more.

"He loves it and it's really brought him on," added Miss Pickering, who will donate her kidney to Roman when he is old enough to undergo a transplant.

"He said his first word and is now showing signs of wanting to walk and meet up with the other kids.

"He knows where he's going and that he and Hunter are going together."