A DELIGHTED family are celebrating their baby girl's homecoming after life-saving heart surgery.
Tiny Jasmine, whose mum Kathryn Baron jetted back to Accrington from Botswana where she has been working as a teacher, was born four weeks ago at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn.
But she developed breathing problems and was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital when she was just four days old.
She underwent a gruelling six-hour operation to correct a narrow valve in her heart, which was making it difficult for blood to get to her vital organs.
The operation was a complete success and Jasmine has now been allowed home to Avenue Parade, Accrington, where Kathryn, 31, is living with her parents Brian and Pat. Kathryn said: "The doctors told me if she hadn't had the operation she could have died within a week."
Former St Christopher's High School pupil Kathryn, who has a brother John and sister Alison, has been living and working in South Africa for four years.
She added: "This is the first granddaughter in the family so my mum and dad are thrilled. 'm still walking on air. It's not really sunk in yet what has happened. She is being spoiled rotten by everyone at the moment."
Kathryn now plans to take Jasmine out to see her dad, Hunter, who is studying for a science degree at the University of Botswana, in August.
It has been a week of celebration for Kathryn's family after dad Brian Baron scooped an Accrington Area Council award for his work with junior and pub football spanning over 30 years. His wife, a retired teacher, was there to see him receive the honour.
