YOUNG Lewis Elliott, who was born weighing less than 2lbs, is off to school for the first time today.

The four-year-old's proud parents, Colette and Pete Elliott of Yarburgh Way, Badger Hill, never dared dream this day would come when he was born at York District Hospital.

Now they are thrilled that their youngest son is setting off to Badger Hill Primary School, where his eight-year-old brother Jordan also attends.

Lewis was born 13 weeks premature and he weighed just 1lb 10oz.

But to look at him now you would never know that he fought a long and hard battle for his life, which included a 13-week stay in hospital and continuing oxygen treatment.

Although Mrs Elliott admits he is a little small for his age, she says that he is fit and healthy and is growing fast.

She said: "He was on oxygen when he came home from hospital and we had oxygen canisters all around the house.

"He was tiny, but he pulled through and everything is fine - his hearing, speaking, everything - there are no problems at all."

Mrs Elliott said that at one point she thought she would never see Lewis go to school - and now her maternal instincts were making her nervous.

She said: "I'm dreading it - he's my baby.

"But he can't wait to go, he's really excited.

"Every day he keeps waking up and asking if it's time to go to school."

Updated: 08:27 Wednesday, September 05, 2001