THE family of a girl who was given just minutes to live as baby said they were “bursting with pride” after she was recognised for her achievements “against the odds in life.”

Chloe Miller, who has cerebral palsy, received a prize at the Vibe Awards - held at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre last week.

Her mother, Annie, and father, John, said they were “fighting back tears” and can’t stop “relieving the moment” she received the award.

Mrs Miller said it took 45 minutes to revive Chloe after she was born, and doctors told the family to “say their goodbyes”.

“Everything failed,” she said.

“She was laid in my arms fighting for survival, and this went on for 22 hours.

“She was on her way out a few times, she was grey and cold, but somehow she pulled through.”

After a day, Chloe started a move and tried to open her eyes, and a few days later, she made her first call for food.

“Even then, they said his kidneys were so bad she would die kidney failure.

“The doctors she would die in her sleep, so we spent four months taking it in turns to do a night vigil.

“After four months her kidneys returned to normal – we said how can you recover, and they said we don’t know.”

The Vibe awards, now in their 21st year, saw more than 100 nominations and some dazzling performances from the most talented youngsters in the town.

“ It is the worst thing a parent can go through, but she proved all of the doctors wrong,” said Mrs Miller.

“How can a girl who was dying in my arms win an award? It is incredible”, she added.