Courageous Leo McIntyre is finally home after spending the first nine months of his life in hospital.

Leo was born with a rare heart condition and has constantly battled obstacles thrown his way, including three open heart operations.

All his fighting has now paid off, as he is finally at his St Bees home surrounded by his relieved family.

His parents, Michelle and Andrew, and brothers Lewis and Curtis, call him their "little fighter" and are cherishing every moment they spend with him.

"He's settled in great, it feels like he's always been here," said 32-year-old Michelle. "We are much more relaxed than we thought we would be.

"It feels fantastic to be back home with our little family. The past nine months have flown by and dragged at the same time.

"It feels strange to think about what Leo and ourselves have gone through. Many times we almost crumbled but we didn't with the strength and fight from our little man he has kept us going."

Leo has a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He underwent his first major open heart surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle at just four days old.

Following a number of setbacks, his family were told he was eligible for the second stage surgery – the Glenn – at the end of May.

Remembering the day of the life-changing operation, Michelle said: "As much as we were worried and scared, as always we knew Leo needed it and without these stage operations, Leo wouldn't survive – that's all we kept reminding ourselves."

It was an extremely tough day as Leo's parents handed him over for the surgery.

"Our hearts broke again as we kissed Leo and held his hand until he fell into a deep sleep from anaesthetic," she said.

The next few days were critical as to whether Leo would adjust to his new circulation.

Amazingly, after 10 days, and suffering a collapsed lung, he was brought off the ventilator and breathing for himself and last week Michelle and Andrew were told they could take him home.

"We could not believe what we were hearing," said Michelle. "I just sat and cried and Andrew was so excited."

"I felt physically sick, I started to panic the further away from the Freemans we got, but Andrew kept me right and looking at Leo sitting smiling at me helped lots."

They kept Leo's return a surprise for much of the family and when he was reunited with his two older brothers it's a memory the couple will treasure.

Speaking about when eight-year-old Curtis realised he was home, Michelle said: "It was a special moment and it felt wonderful. His little face was a picture."

She said his older brother, 16-year-old Lewis, is thrilled to have the family back together.

Leo will attend clinic at the Freeman in a fortnight and will have regular check-ups. He also has open access to the West Cumberland Hospital's children's ward.

He will need the third stage of surgery between three and five-years-old.

"The three stages are to enable Leo to live as normal a life as possible and get him to his teems or early adulthood, then he may possible need a transplant," said Michelle. "Leo never follows the book though, so he will make his own rules we're sure."

The couple paid a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped them financially, as well as those who raised money for Scott House at the Freeman Hospital.

They paid a special thanks to Michelle's cousin Paula Prosser; Anne McKain for the donation from Sarah's Star Fund, their parents and Michelle's brother and partner, Tony Coulter and Courtney Askew.

Their neighbours and the Oddfellows Arms in St Bees have also raised money, as well as St Bridget's Primary School in Egremont.