A couple whose baby was born 12 weeks premature have vowed to repay the doctors who gave him specialist care.

Gemma and Scott Dutton, of Penicuik, Midlothian, were delighted when they found out they were expecting their first baby in June 2014.

Her pregnancy had been going well until she noticed that her baby had stopped kicking.

After being urgently admitted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, doctors found the baby was only measuring 25 weeks despite the fact Gemma was 27 weeks pregnant.

The couple were given the devastating news the blood flow through the umbilical cord was not consistent and their baby had stopped growing because he was being starved of oxygen and nutrients.

Gemma was told the baby would have to be delivered by caesarean section within a week. The situation worsened as the week went on and Gemma gave birth to Alexander when he was 28 weeks, weighing just 1lb 9oz.

He spent 12 weeks in the neonatal unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on equipment to keep him alive and help him breathe. His doting parents were only able to give their son, also known as Zander, limited cuddles until he was able to maintain his temperature and heart rate.

Eventually, four days after his due date, Zander's delighted mother and father were allowed to bring him home.

A year on, the little one is developing well and his parents are keen to celebrate by raising money for the neonatal doctors who took care of him in those difficult first weeks.

Gemma, 30, said: "We were completely unprepared to become parents so early. We always assumed that babies needing special care were a rarity, when in fact one in 13 babies are born prematurely.

"The neonatal unit also cares for babies who are born at full term but require some additional care for illness, such as jaundice or if they require surgery. We soon realised at any baby could require some level of neonatal care."

Gemma added: "He is now a happy, thriving one-year-old and we are so lucky that the care he received was second to none.

"We were so fortunate that Alexander was generally a well baby, he was just tiny. Unfortunately, many other babies are born too early or very sick and are fighting for their lives.

"The team in the neonatal unit were second to none and despite working long hours and in some heart-breaking situations, they were always bright, cheery and ready to support parents through the toughest of times. They are angels."

The couple will hold a large fundraising event in Edinburgh on Saturday, which would have been Zander’s due date had he been born at full term.

All cash raised from the Simpsons Special Saturday family day at the Eric Liddell Centre in Morningside will go to the Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) charity, which helps to fund vital treatment for premature babies.

It is hoped the event, which will feature pampering, children's activities and a prize draw, will raise enough money to buy a Vapotherm machine which helps to regulate babies’ breathing.

Tickets are available at www.facebook.com/simpsonsspecialsaturday.