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The parents of Alfie Evans have welcomed a baby boy, four months after the tot who was the centre of an international legal battle died.

Kate James, 20, gave birth just months after losing little Alfie who suffered from a rare degenerative brain condition.

He is believed to be named Thomas after dad Tom Evans, 21, and was born at the beginning of August.

Alfie was in a coma for the final 16 months of his life and died in April aged 23 months.

Alfie’s parents, from Liverpool, launched a legal bid to keep him alive after doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital applied to turn off his life support.

Doctors argued that his condition could not improve and strongly opposed moves by his family to provide specialist care outside the country.

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(Image: PA) (Image: Facebook/alfiesarmy)

Hundreds of supporters - dubbed “Alfie’s Army” - backed the parents and Tom even flew to Rome to see Pope Francis when doctors in Italy offered to treat the youngster.

But the tragic toddler’s life support was finally switched off in April as the family’s lawyers eventually exhausted all legal avenues following a Court of Appeal ruling.

A source told The Sun : “Kate knew she was pregnant in Alfie’s final few weeks and wanted to keep it quiet so she could give her all to Alfie.

“She and Tom are delighted with their new arrival. He’s doing a great job of giving them something to focus on while they grieve.

(Image: PA)

(Image: Internet Unknown)

“It’s obviously tinged with sadness though as they know Alfie would have been a fantastic big brother, if only he’d managed to survive.”

Both Kate and Tom carry a rare gene which sparked Alfie’s illness, so there were fears Thomas could inherit the same condition.

But it is reported the three-week-old boy has passed a series of tests in hospital, leaving his parents "very relieved.”

Thomas wrote a heartbreaking post on Facebook in tribute to his late son earlier this week.

On Thursday he wrote: "Four months today you gained your wings buddie. The pain and heartache gets worse everyday.

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(Image: Daily Mirror)

"I love you so so much and Miss you the world.

"Until we meet again buddie I love you forever."

It was revealed earlier this month that NHS officials racked up £145,000 in legal costs in an attempt to switch off Alfie’s life support.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust was forced to disclose the figure following a Freedom of Information request by supporters of Alfie’s family.

Alfie died 100 hours after his life support machine was switched off - giving the family a glimmer of hope that he may be able to pull through.

But devastated dad Tom announced on Facebook on April 28 : “My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings.

“Absolutely heartbroken. I love you my guy.”

Pope Francis tweeted afterwards: “I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. I pray especially for his parents as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.”