The homecoming of eight-month-old Melody seemed a long way away when she lay in a Newcastle hospital battling a genetic disorder called severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which left her with no immune system.

The brave tot had to live in germ-free bubble and undergo a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy to survive the life-threatening condition, which meant a common cold could kill her.

Dad Scott Davies, 29, said: "We are ecstatic – over the moon. It was the best news ever, being told we could take her home.

"It doesn't get much better than that. We are a big, happy family again."

Little Melody can only be visited by well adults and no children, except her brothers Josh, two, and Shane, five, while her immune system improves.

Her parents also have to sterilise their house, on Briggs Avenue, Castleford, from top to bottom every other day to keep any germs at bay.

Her mum Lauren Travis, 23, said: "Her immune system is still immature. If she picks any germs up, she will get rid of it but it will take her longer.

"So we have to clean the house every two days and I hate housework. I can't wait for it to go down to once a week – which is at the six-month mark after her transplant. But it's great to have her home and go back to a bit of normality."

Melody's progress surprised doctors who intially thought she would not be well enough to come home until at least September.

She is also nearly out of the 100-day critical period following the transplant, when she could potentially fatally reject the donor cells.

Lauren said: "That will be a big weight off our minds. We are just waiting for her to grow now and she will be just like any other child. Apparently it will take her two years to catch up."

Dad Scott said: "She's always been a fighter. She has outperformed herself. She has done exceptionally well.

"It's unbelievable having her home. Obviously in the early days we had the inevitable talks with the doctors about what might happen. Home seemed so far away at that time.

"I can't believe six months has passed. It seemed ages away in February but now it just feels a blur. Obviously they have been the hardest six months of my life, but they have also been the most rewarding and have paid dividends."

The couple thanked family and friends for their support during the last six months, including Scott's colleagues at Linpac Plastics in Featherstone, who did a 60-mile bike ride to raise funds for the family.

Scott said: "I would like to thank everyone for supporting and helping us. I can't say enough thank yous. It just shows you what friends you've got."