When Rupert Parsons was born with two holes in his heart, doctors warned his parents their little boy would not survive beyond two weeks.

But four years on, mum Franchesca and dad Lee waved the beaming youngster off as he began his first term at school.

Mrs Parsons, 24, from Taunton, said: "We didn't really think this day would ever come, we're so proud of him."

Rupert was 3lb 13oz when he was born in Musgrove Park Hospital with a host of health complications and an unidentified congenital disorder.

Medics believed he was too poorly to survive but the miracle baby proved the experts wrong by surviving several heart operations, infections and a tracheotomy.

He spent the first year of his life in hospital in Taunton and an intensive care unit at Bristol Children's Hospital but when he finally came back to the family home, Rupert went from strength to strength.

He fought back from the brink of death on several occasions and has also suffered lung, kidney and liver problems but the little fighter has never stopped smiling throughout his painful ordeal.

And this week he put on his uniform, picked up his satchel and joined the reception class at Creech St Michael Primary School, near Taunton, and is loving his first taste of life as a pupil.

Mrs Parsons said: "He has really enjoyed the first couple of days and the school has been brilliant. He's full of energy and is a very lovely, lively little boy. He's as good as gold."

Rupert has a portable ventilator which provides him with oxygen and food and drink through a tube into his stomach but that does not slow him down. "He's been keeping up with everyone," Mrs parsons added.

"He was three months old when he had the tracheotomy so he knows no different really, he doesn't see himself as different from the other children I don't think, although he's noticing now that other kids eat things and he can't because he's fed through a tube. The other children are lovely though and he seems to be making friends."

And yesterday he received a new electric wheelchair to help him get around.

Mrs Parsons said: "He's been very excited about the wheelchair, it will be good for him to have it because he does get tired.

"The school has been fantastic and everyone has gone out of their way to make sure Rupert is settled in.

"He did go to a special needs nursery but we decided to send him to an ordinary primary school because we wanted him to be able to have interaction with more children.

"We hope that's the right decision but we can't be sure yet, we'll have to wait and see.

"I have been a typical worried mum I suppose and dropping him off for the first time was quite hard but we are so proud of him."