The parents of a baby boy who was saved by a heart transplant have finally brought him back to their Sussex home.

Gilli Davidson and her husband, Adam, are delighted to have their eight-month-old son, Ethan, safe and well in his own bed after three months in London hospitals.

Gilli said: "It is unbelievable that he's had the operation, made it through and come home. We're all so happy. He's doing really well. It's lovely.

"He recognises his toys and reaches out for the ones he likes the most, like his musical teddy. He's coming along in leaps and bounds."

Gilli and Adam, who also have a five-year-old son, Calum, have been at Ethan's bedside since Easter, when he was struck down with dilated cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscles.

Specialists at Guy's Hospital, London, told the couple, from Saltdean, a transplant was Ethan's only hope.

The couple's first son, Liam, was starved of oxygen at birth and died after four days. Eighteen months ago their third son, Robbie, was stillborn at 24 weeks. They dreaded another tragedy.

A month ago Gilli was on a crowded train when a message flashed up on her pager: "Contact Guy's. Have got a heart for Ethan."

The parents rushed to be with their son and the transplant was performed at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Gilli, 34, said babies had fewer odds of finding heart donors because they could only accept organs from other small children. She has urged other parents to agree to donate their children's organs if tragedy strikes.

Ethan will be regularly monitored by specialists for any signs he is rejecting his new heart.

Gilli added: "Calum is really pleased for us all to be back together. He went to school and announced it to all his classmates and teachers.

"If we get a proper summer we are looking forward to going to the beach. We are trying to get used to being all together as a family again."