A BRAVE tot who defied the odds when he was born three months prematurely has celebrated his first birthday.

Zack Shah weighed 1lb 7oz when he was born at Fairfield General Hospital on September 22 last year.

He had less than a 50 per cent chance of surviving and spent four months in the special care baby unit.

But a year on and Zack is thriving and he was surrounded by family as he reached his birthday.

A joint celebration for Zack’s big day and the Muslim festival of Eid was held in Rochdale by relatives of Zack’s father, Riaz.

Another party will be held this week for the parents of children at Greenmount Primary School, who have supported the family.

Proud mum Susan, of Kingsbury Close, Brandlesholme, said: “Zack has come on heaps in the past year. He’s a fantastic baby and always smiling. He has been through so much, but he’s doing really well. It’s lovely to celebrate his first birthday. When I look back, I realise that things could have been so different.”

Zack was delivered by Caesarean section when his mother experienced difficulties with the pregnancy at 24 weeks and three days.

Doctors feared Mrs Shah and her baby might not pull through.

Zack had to fight off an infection after he was born and required oxygen 24 hours a day. But he made good progress and weighed almost 5lb when he was allowed home at the end of January.

Doctors have told Zack’s parents that he will develop four months slower than expected because he was born prematurely.

He has recently started sitting up and now only needs extra oxygen at night.

He has already formed close bonds with his sisters, Amber, aged 10, and Yasmin, aged six, and brother Adam, aged seven.

Mrs Shah, aged 39, said: “The children all love Zack and really like fussing over him.

“We really spoil him and he tends to be over-pampered by all of us because of what he has been through. We can’t imagine life without him.”

With Zack’s health much improved, the family is looking forward to the future and planning a holiday to Spain next year.

But they will never forget what they have been through since Zack was born.

Mrs Shah said: “Everyone has really rallied round to support both me and Zack.

“I want to thank everyone for what they have done, especially the mums at Greenmount Primary School, who helped with school runs, brought round meals and gave us lifts to the hospital.

“I also want to thank all the doctors and nurses who helped us because we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for everything they did.”