Two-day-old James Souter has become one of the youngest babies in the world to be fitted with a pacemaker after he was born with a life-threatening heartdefect.

His survival against the odds has been described as a miracle by his relieved parents, who now cannot wait to take him home.

Gavin Dunn and Michelle Souter had prepared themselves for the worst since, only 13 weeks into the pregnancy, they were told their unborn child had a serious heart condition and that Michelle could miscarry at any time.

"All through the pregnancy they warned us we could lose him," said Mr Dunn, 25, of Grove Hill, Middlesbrough.

"We were asked if we wanted a termination, but we were determined to try to have him. We were determined he was going to be all right.

"I have been crying my eyes out worrying about the operation, but now we are over the moon."

James was born on Tuesday, weighing 5lb 9oz. He was ten days early and had to be delivered by Caesarian section at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

He was transferred to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, where he was fitted with the tiny electronic device - implanted into the heart and chest to regulate heartbeat - less than 42 hours later.

The family were reunited when he was brought back to James Cook Hospital on Thursday night. Last night, his condition was continuing to improve.

"It was such a relief when James was born," said 21-year-old Ms Souter,who is recovering at home.

"It was a really hard pregnancy because we never knew if he would survive it and there was always a chance that if he was born his heart would stop. But this is amazing, we are totally overwhelmed by what has happened.