The parents of a baby girl who died after developing a rare heart condition have launched a fundraising campaign to help others with the same affliction and keep alive the memory of their daughter.

Five-month-old Lexie-Eva Millett was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, in July and lost her fight against the illness three weeks later.

Her parents Rachel Jackson and Matthew Millett felt their world was falling apart after the loss of baby Lexie.

But three months on, the couple from Wellington, Somerset, supported by a network of family and friends, are channelling their grief to help raise cash for the Cardiomyopathy Association and a permanent memorial for their daughter.

Miss Jackson, 26, said: "Cardiomyopathy is common in older people but not in children. It's caused by a virus and is rare in little ones.

"Bristol Children's Hospital said they usually only see about four cases a year.

"She was such a strong little girl and for a while, we thought she was going to get better but sadly, that didn't happen. She was a beautiful baby, so happy and smiling all the time.

"When you have kids, they say it's about six to eight weeks before their first smile but with Lexie, she was smiling away after a fortnight. We've had so much support from people with the fundraising which has given us something to concentrate on.

"At first I didn't think I was up to it but things are better now and I'm coping.

"The money we raise will go towards a sculpture of Lexie in Wellington cemetery and to the Cardiomyopathy Association to help other people who had what she had."

A sponsored walk, haircut and even chest waxing have been held to help the appeal and Mr Millett, 30, is facing his fears to leap from a plane at 10,000ft as part of a sponsored skydive with pals Sean Vickery and Tony James.

Miss Jackson said: "He's never done anything like this before and has been pretty quiet about it. I think he's a bit nervous."

So far, more than £1,000 has been raised for Lexie's Appeal and the family are determined to keep going to raise as much cash as they can.

The couple, who have two daughters, Casey-Marie, two, and Olivia, 18 months, say their children are also helping to keep Lexie's memory alive.

Miss Jackson said: "The little ones are so sweet and it really helps. They talk about Lexie all the time. Every time we see a butterfly or a star, it's always Lexie according to them and that is a comfort.

"They're only young but they do understand and miss her and want to make sure we keep her memory alive for them so they know all about their sister. It's been very difficult but we are so grateful to all our friends and family and everyone who already made a donation."

To donate contact Nichola Jones at nl.jones@bepp.co.uk.