A premature baby born three months early has battled the odds to smash her milestones and make it to her first Christmas.

Tiny Maeve was born weighing just 2lb 10oz when mum Joanne Twomey gave birth at 28 weeks gestation - caused by an infection called Chorioamnionitis - at the QEQM hospital in Margate on August 24.

The little bundle wasn't due until November 10 but instead Joanne and partner Chris Watson, who live in Cliftonville, started their anxiety-filled journey 12 weeks early, with Maeve transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

But despite being born so early, Joanne says her daughter reached milestone after milestone and at six weeks old was able to go home and by her due date weighed 7lbs 4oz.

"The staff in the maternity unit were just beyond incredible," she said.

"My midwives Kyra and Anna-lee were my rock and gave me a comforting feeling of having my sisters there for me.

"I will never forget them and their relentless efforts to keep me safe and calm."

After Maeve was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the William Harvey, Joanne was able to join her three days later.

"The absolutely amazing staff took such good care of her," said the mum.

"Sending photos and giving updates when I couldn’t be by her side was the single thing that kept me going.

"Later in our journey, we were transferred back to the QEQM where my daughter was cared for by a group of nurses that I would now refer to as friends.

"The way in which we were welcomed and cared for still brings me to tears. It was a bitter-sweet moment walking through those doors and waving goodbye to the place and people who had become home.

"We send our love and gratitude to all of the staff at QEQM, William Harvey and all of the teams working tirelessly within the NHS to keep us all safe."

Maeve now weighs 9lb 15oz and Joanne says they are so proud at how far she's come.

"We are just elated, we love her so very much," she added.