HOPES are high that a Newport mum who fell ill while on holiday in the Canary Islands will soon be able to return home to her children.

Until Sunday, Lisa Jarvis had spent three weeks in a medically induced coma after suffering a fit on the holiday island of Fuerteventura in an effort to stabilise her condition.

But yesterday the 28-year-old mum of three was finally allowed to leave hospital.

Now her mum, Jennifer Knock, 54, of St Julians, and three children, Jade, seven, Lauren, six, and five-year-old Caitlin are eagerly awaiting her return.

Mrs Knock, who is caring for her grandchildren, said: "She has to go back to the hospital for an assessment tomorrow, and as long as the doctors and insurance company say she's OK to fly, we're hoping she will be home by the weekend."

The news comes as a relief for the family, who have suffered an anxious few weeks waiting for news of Mrs Jarvis' condition.

When she first fell ill, doctors in the Canaries said she could be flown home by air ambulance, but medical assessors for her insurance company disagreed.

Her husband, Andrew, has remained at her bedside throughout, and her brother, Craig, and his wife, Katherine, also flew out to the holiday island to be with her.

Mrs Knock said: "It's been difficult, the children have been very anxious. Lauren has been sick a few times and Jade cried after she spoke to her on Monday. We're just looking forward to getting her back home."

But the family are not looking forward to giving animal lover Mrs Jarvis the news that her beloved pet cat, Chloe, is missing.

The white three-year-old, who has a red collar, went missing from the family's Barrack Hill home three weeks ago.

Mrs Jarvis said: "We haven't told her about Chloe because it would break her heart, she loves animals."

It is another blow for the family, who earlier this week learnt that their benefits would be stopped because they have been out of the country for so long.

The couple's income support of £63 a week, carer's allowance of £45 a week and disability living allowance of £108 a week is due not to be paid from the end of this week.

But the family say they are just happy Mrs Jarvis is finally getting better. Mrs Knock said: "She's suffered with epilepsy-type fits since she was 13 but it has never been brought under control.

"Now they think that it was the medication she was on that was making it worse."

Speaking from the Canary Islands, Mrs Jarvis' brother, Craig Knock, said: "She's come on leaps and bounds since she left the hospital. "We're hoping that if she continues to improve in this way she'll be able to join us for breakfast tomorrow."

l If you have any information on the wherabouts of Mrs Jarvis' cat call the Argus newsroom on 01633 777226.