'We're proud of every little thing he does': how a baby born weighing just 1 lb is helping future generations

The parents of a little boy who was born 15 weeks early and weighed just one pound are urging other parents to consider letting their premature babies take part in hospital research studies.

Archie Lawrence had just a 50/50 chance of survival when he was born.

He was the size of a grapefruit and had a range of health complications - including a hole in his heart and sepsis.

Archie spent six months being cared for at the neonatal intensive care unit at Burnley Hospital - where doctors and nurses gave the family "excellent" care and support.

Archie overcame the odds, and now he's helping to give other babies born extremely early improved chances of recovery.

His parents, Elisha Stott and Steven Lawrence, were approached about allowing Archie to be entered in a research study while he was in intensive care.

Data gathered from babies taking part in the study will be used to help doctors understand more about treating very premature babies, improving how they're looked after in hospital and beyond.

Doctors at Burnley Hospital say such studies are "vital".

Archie's parents discussed it with medical staff, and decided to let him rake part.

Archie is now at home with his family, where he makes them laugh "every single day".

They say they're so proud to know that he could be helping bring future sons and daughters safely back home.

They're now encouraging other parents who's children are born too early to consider allowing them to take part in other hospital research studies.

Elisha said: "If I was to speak with another couple in our situation considering research, I'd say 'go for it'. We had a positive experience and we know that all these things they learn from babies like Archie will add up to help future generations."