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Doctors saved a premature baby by popping her in a sandwich bag from the hospital canteen.

They reckoned the 6in plastic container was just the right size to keep tiny Lexi Lacey warm after she was born 14 weeks early, weighing just 14 ounces.

And their fresh approach did the trick - as she bounced back from the brink.

Medics had warned mum Chelsea Rowberry, 17, and dad Lee Lacey, 24, the tot had only a 10% chance of survival.

But the bag kept Lexi's temperature up after she was born in the middle of the night at Worcestershire Royal hospital.

She stayed inside it for several hours before being transferred to a specialist unit at a different hospital. Now, 11 weeks later, she is a healthy 5lbs 6oz and has been allowed home for the first time.

Grateful Chelsea, from Worcester, said yesterday: "It was really scary. The doctors told us they had never known a baby born as prematurely as Lexi to survive.

"She was so tiny the only thing they had small enough to keep her body temperature warm was a sandwich bag from the hospital canteen, it's incredible to think that saved her life. People look quite shocked when I tell them she's OK, they don't believe me when I tell them how premature she was."

Chelsea, who was studying a BTEC in parenting before having Lexi, added: "It's such a relief to have her home. She's a real battler and I'm so thankful for everything the doctors did."

Chelsea's mum Gillian, 48, said: "Without the bag Lexi probably wouldn't have survived, it's a miracle." Dad Lee, a kitchen cleaner, added: "It's been a roller coaster ride. We're so happy Lexi is OK."

Consultant paediatrician Dr Andrew Gallagher, said: "Sandwich bags are made of exactly the same material as those that are often used in hospital to control the temperature of premature babies."