A 13-MONTH-OLD boy left a North-East hospital yesterday only five months after his mother agreed that his life support machine should be switched off.

Jack Vellam's survival story broke records after he became the youngest patient to stay on an artificial heart for 120 days while he recovered from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

The youngster, from Pitsford, Northamptonshire, was treated at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, by the same team that saved Hull toddler Zoe Chambers, who underwent a heart transplant after a Europe-wide search for a donor.

Jack's mother Danielle Hastings, 18, said he suddenly fell ill in March, and went grey.

Medics thought he had a virus and suggested he take Calpol, but his condition worsened and the family rushed him into hospital in Northampton, where he had a heart attack.

He was transferred to Leicester, where he went into intensive care for several days.

As his life slipped away, doctors suggested the family consider switching off the life support machine because he was so seriously ill.

Miss Hastings, and Jack's father, Terry, a 21-year-old apprentice plumber, considered the consequences - and at first she agreed because she did not want her eight-month-old baby to suffer.

She said: "It was a heart-breaking ordeal for all of us.

"I said I didn't want him to suffer any more than he already had.

"They wanted to have our decision by 8pm. But then the doctors came back and said there was another option - for a transplant."

But the parents were warned it was not without drawbacks, and Jack could suffer from strokes or blood clots.

Miss Hastings said: "When they suggested a heart transplant, I began to think 'He has a chance here. I have to let my little boy have a chance'.

"It was my and Terry's decision, and he wanted to have the transplant, but I was still not sure because there were more cons than pros.

"In the end I said 'let's give him that chance'."

The family had gathered for what they believed would be Jack's last day and he was Christened in hospital.

Miss Hastings said she could not stop crying.

"I'm glad we made that decision, because look at him now."

A team from the Freeman saw Jack and he was placed on an Ecmo machine to keep his heart and lungs working.

He was transferred to the Newcastle hospital and it was discovered that he was suffering a heart muscle inflammation.

He was put on a Berlin Heart, a machine that pumped his blood but meant four tubes - with 60 stitches each - being inserted into his chest.

The device stayed on for 120 days before it was removed in a tricky, and dangerous, operation 15 days ago - after it became clear that Jack's heart had recovered and could beat on its own.

The proud mother said Jack remained cheerful and smiling throughout his treatment, which will be continued at their local hospital in Northampton.

She could not praise the staff at the Freeman highly enough - from consultants to cleaners.

"This is a wonderful, supportive community," she said.

She was now looking forward to doing ordinary things with Jack, such as taking him swimming or watching him learn to walk.

"It's still dawning on me that we are going home. I'm trying to take it all in.

"I want other parents to know that there is hope for their children if they are ill."

Dr Richard Kirk, consultant paediatric cardiologist, paid tribute to the 100-strong team who worked to save Jack's life.

He said: "He would have died without the Berlin Heart.

"What is unique about Jack is that he is the youngest patient ever to have this myocarditis and be kept alive on a Berlin Heart for so long.

"This is the best of days for us. This is what we work for."