A mother has spoken of her joy after bringing her 18-month-old child home for the first time.

Oswaldtwistle tot Carson Hartley has been living at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital since he was born to receive treatment for a congenital heart defect.

He was brought home and was guest of honour at Coxy’s Fun Day, a fundraiser in memory of Stanley fan Antony Cox.

Proceeds from the event, at the Crown on Whalley Road, Accrington, will help buy sensory toys for Carson and a swing for the garden.

Mum Kirsty Harris said: "He loves people and he enjoyed going out for the first time. He’s been in a hospital bed for so long that even when he was in the car he was looking out of the window and was just in shock.

"I don’t think he had ever seen rain before. He really enjoyed himself.

"After visiting the pub we brought him home for the first time and he got to see his house and see his bedroom which was lovely. I just didn’t want to take him back."

The family had planned the trip for about two weeks and even had to inform Blackburn Hospital that Carson would be in the area in case something went wrong.

"It was a lot of planning and it took an hour to get in the car because we had all his equipment," said Kirsty.

"It just brought it home to us that every time we take him out it’s not just a quick trip to the shops.

"A few weeks ago he got taken by hospital staff to the park and went on a swing and absolutely loved it. It was a normal thing to do but we didn’t think he would be able to do it.

"We hope to bring him home by Christmas and the only thing that could stop that is if he got an infection or got sick and that could put months on him coming back.

"It might take a few weeks to settle in but I think he will come on a lot more and will have his brothers around him."

Carson’s journey was followed by BBC camera crews for a documentary, which will be screened early in the new year.