THE parents of the Black Country baby, whose battle for survival has melted the hearts of thousands of people around the world, have received an award.

Wayne and Jennifer Little of Pensnett, were given the title of Parents of the Year at the Signal 107 Inspirational Awards, held in Wolverhampton on Friday.

Their daughter, Daisy-Mae, nicknamed 'the girl who couldn't wait', was born three-and-a-half months early at Russells Hall Hospital on December 1 last year, weighing just 1lb 13oz.

When she was born, Mr Little set up a page on Facebook to update friends and family about his daughter’s progress and her story has attracted more than 15,000 likes to date.

It was followers of the page that nominated the couple for the award, which Mr Little said was "an honour” and "overwhelming".

Mr Little said: "It was a bit of a shock when we heard. Quite a number of people we don't even know had nominated us for it, who follow her story on Facebook."

He dedicated the award to "all the wonderful staff at the neonatal wards and babies who have fought so hard for their place in this world" and said the additional prizes of a £25 voucher for Merry Hill and £100 voucher for Geo.E.Davies electrical store in Wolverhampton would "come in handy".

He added that since Daisy-Mae had arrived home recently after 108 days in hospital, she was "doing fantastic".