ONE of the first babies of 2008 was born to a North-East woman who was told she might never have children as a result of cancer treatment.

Keira Wilkinson was born a week early, at just five minutes after midnight on New Year's morning.

Her mother, Dawn Wilkinson, 20, was last night celebrating after being discharged from the University Hospital of North Durham with healthy Keira, who weighed 7lb 10oz.

Ms Wilkinson, from Houghtonle- Spring, near Sunderland, said: "She is my miracle baby. I was diagnosed with cancer in November 2005. When I was told I had Hodgkin's lymphoma, I asked doctors what the chances were of having my eggs frozen.

"But there was no time to do so, as the doctors wanted to get on with the treatment, which I had right through until 2007."

Ms Wilkinson, who had a 9in tumour, underwent chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

Her partner, Robert Barry, 24, supported her throughout.

She said: "The doctors said it was unlikely I would ever have children. I was devastated when doctors said my chances were really low."

But three months after going into remission, Ms Wilkinson discovered she was pregnant.

She said: "I was shocked and scared at first, because of all the treatment I had had and I was hoping it would be okay. I had complications early in the pregnancy, but tests found everything to be fine.

"There were ups and downs during the pregnancy, with uncertainty over whether the tests were 100 per cent accurate.

"Doctors found her to be in perfect health. She has been as good as gold and has not cried once."

Grandmother June Wilkinson said: "She is my fifth grandchild, but she is a special one. Dawn went through a terrible time with her treatment. We were over the moon when we heard she was pregnant."