By Hayley Robinson

Hopes that a poorly baby would be home in time for Christmas were dashed when the youngster was diagnosed with swine flu.

Eleven-month-old Ben Quadling, who is battling a rare form of leukaemia, was waiting for the all-clear to leave London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital after completing his second course of chemotherapy.

But on Friday, December 17, his parents Angela and Stephen, from Iwade, were told the youngster had to remain in hospital.

Angela said: "I was at home when I got a text from my husband. I was devastated and spent most of the night in tears.

"It wasn’t the fact we were going to have to spend Christmas at the hospital, I think it was more because of all the horror stories you hear about swine flu and how it affects people and he was already low, he had no immune system. He was really unlucky."

The couple and their three-year-old son James spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Ben at the hospital, but he was still too poorly to enjoy the day.

Angela said: "He was very sleepy in the morning so we propped him up in bed and he opened some presents with us.

"The only smile he had all day was for James when he came running into the room saying ‘Father Christmas has been’. He perked up a little at about 6pm Christmas Day and opened the rest of his presents then. He even managed to play for a bit."

Ben is responding well to treatment. His parents are now keeping their fingers crossed that they will be told later today (Friday) that they can take him home for a week before he has to return to hospital for a third course of chemotherapy.

Angela said: "Ben’s really improved over the last few days – I think it was a combination of the drugs he was on and seeing James, they were both very pleased to see each other."