A PREMATURE Black Country baby who became an internet sensation has welcomed her baby sister into the world.

Daisy-Mae Little, who was born three-and-a-half months early at Russells Hall Hospital in December 2013, will now compete for her parents’ affections with new arrival Ava-Rose.

The Pensnett tot's difficult first journey was documented by her father Wayne, through a Facebook page that attracted more than 23,000 followers from across the world.

Through the page, Wayne and his wife Jennie announced Ava-Rose’s birth on Tuesday, June 16. Although not as tiny or premature as Daisy-Mae – who weighed just 1lb 13oz – Ava was born at 35 weeks, weighing 5lb 13oz.

Wayne described the birth of the family’s second child as “nowhere near the experience we had to go through with Daisy-Mae” but the couple still encountered difficulties.

He said: “It was quite a hard labour. This time the baby is fine but it’s been Jen who has gone through the mill. She’s been bruised and battered.

“After being admitted she became exhausted and in the end needed a forceps delivery.

“She also suffered from internal bleeding and blood loss so had to have a blood transfusion.

“After she had been initially stitched up, she had to then go into theatre to be re opened and operated on to address the bleeding.

“It's been terrible for her and I have never been through anything like it either.”

Wayne and Jennie, who were named Parents of the Year at the Signal 107 Inspirational Awards in April 2014, have also praised the staff at Russells Hall, many of whom remember Daisy-Mae’s arrival.

Wayne said: “The staff at Russells Hall have been so friendly and as fantastic as always. We were on the same ward and had the same nurses who looked after Daisy.

“The nurse who helped deliver Daisy was with us again. She is like an aunt to us, being on hand again to give us the support we need.”

The couple’s Facebook announcement about the naming of Ava-Rose garnered more than 1,000 likes in the first half an hour.

Wayne, a firefighter for West Midlands Fire Service, said: “It’s a testimony that the support people gave to us when we had Daisy was genuine and there are a lot of really loving people out there.

“We have also not ever received one negative comment on any of the stories or updates that we post, so it goes to show that social media can be used the right way.”

Wayne’s musings documenting the birth of Daisy-Mae and her first few months was turned into a book, 'Little Daisy-Mae - The Girl Who Couldn't Wait', to help other parents who have premature babies understand they are not alone.

Proceeds from sales of the book, which can be bought at www.oodlebooks.com/daisy-mae, are being donated to Bliss – a UK charity which helps babies born too soon, too small or too sick.