TWO weeks after tiny Lloyd Myers was born three months premature, mother Sarah suffered a heart attack and died. Her family were left devastated, but faced another traumatic time as the baby began his own battle to survive.

Despite an inquest last month, the family are still baffled as to what caused Sarah's death. However, spirits have been lifted with the news that Lloyd could finally be getting over the worst.

BABY Lloyd's family say his "miracle" survival is a testament to late mum Sarah Myers.

The mite was born 13 weeks early in November last year and every day since then his grandmother Pauline Howker, of Butler Street, Ramsbottom, has visited him in Pendlebury children's hospital.

Last week, the eight-month-old was fighting for his life after developing septicaemia in addition to his lung problems.

Now stable, Lloyd is expected to improve and for the first time there is optimism for Pauline's family and dad Graeme.

The trauma of his recent illness coincided with a verdict of accidental death at his mother's inquest in Manchester last week.

Sarah (30), who already had two children, Daniel (8) and Gemma (9), died following a massive heart attack two weeks after a Caesarean section.

The precise reasons for her death could not be established, leaving the family with some unanswered questions.

Pauline said: "Everything was so nightmarish and unreal that we wanted some explanation about why she died, but there was none. It's resolved in that there was a verdict, but we just can't understand what happened. We have no problem with the staff, they were wonderful all the way along."

Former Woodhey pupil Sarah had lived in South Africa until the age of 10, when she lost her father Aubrey. After leaving college, she worked as a carer at the Highbank Neuro-rehabilitation centres in Walshaw and Walmersley, and at Ash Cottage in Edenfield.

Sarah had been admitted to Manchester's St Mary's Hospital in October after a check-up showed she had high blood pressure and that there was too little fluid around the baby.

The Caesarean was carried out after Sarah complained of pain and Lloyd showed signs of distress in the womb.

Pauline said: "She appeared to be recovering and was taken back to the ward for a few days. Then she started with severe pains in the abdomen area and they took her back to theatre."

Sarah was transferred for critical care at Manchester Royal Infirmary, and was visited by her children.

Pauline said: "Daniel decided that she wasn't eating enough, so later we got some smoked salmon and strawberries to take with us for her the next day. We never spoke to her again."

When the family received a call from the hospital that night, Sarah had suffered a massive heart attack. She died during the early hours of the morning on November 13 -- the 20th anniversary of her father's death.

A member of the choir at Emmanuel Holcombe, Pauline was enormously bolstered by the support she received from the church and community.

She said: "It was like a shrine in the days afterwards. We had 200 cards for her in the days that followed; there were flowers, plants, biscuits -- all sorts of things arrived."

"People sometimes laugh at those who go to church and believe in Christianity, but there was so much love, care and warmth that came across at the time that it is hard to explain."

Pauline and Sarah's stepfather Stan have since looked after Daniel and Gemma.

This week, their little brother Lloyd began to breathe without a ventilator -- a milestone nobody had expected.

His recovery is attributed, in part, to Sarah. Pauline said: "Sarah was always popular and a great daughter. She made so much time for the children, and as well as being a fun mum she supported them in every way.

"It's almost as if she's there with Lloyd, because he's come through some remarkable things. He's defied all the odds and the doctors say he's a miracle, but obviously they've had a big part in it too."