THE devastated parents of a baby boy who lived just one day have told how they had to let their "beautiful" son go.

Sam Woodfield (pictured) died on November 8 at Bristol Children's Hospital of an inoperable lung condition.

His parents, Simon and Sarah, of Caldicot Road, Rogiet, told the Argus: "Sam was beautiful."

The couple, who have two other sons, Steven, ten, and Scott nine, discovered Sam had a heart problem at the 22nd week of pregnancy, after a scan.

They were given the option of not continuing with the pregnancy - but Sarah, 33, said: "We knew of the problem and all the operations Sam would need but we decided to carry on with the pregnancy and give Sam all the chances he could possibly have."

Sarah and Simon waited anxiously as the pregnancy continued, and attended for scans almost weekly.

They also set up a website, chronicling their hopes and fears in a diary.

They were given the opportunity to have Sam at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but as any operations would be carried out at Bristol they opted for the birth there.

Sam was born at 11.40am on Thursday, November 7. Just two hours later Sarah and Simon learned there was also a problem with Sam's lungs.

Sam was taken away and stabilised overnight. But the next day it was found the veins in his lungs were not properly developed and the condition was inoperable.

His parents took the heartbreaking decision to let their little boy go. Sam's funeral service was held at St Mary's Church, Rogiet, yesterday.

Sarah said: "It was all such a shock, although we knew there was a problem we thought there was a way round that."

She said the support they received from family, friends and hospital staff was wonderful.

Sarah said: "We were all looking forward to him - at the moment it just seems so unfair, I don't know why it happened and we will never know why."

Simon, 37, said they would be collecting things to remind them of Sam - his blanket, teddy bear and photographs - and placing them into a memory box.

He added: "There will also be a grave so we can see Sam every day."

He said they never dreamed they would have to arrange the funeral of their child. Sam's grieving parents say Steven and Scott will help keep them going though the coming months.

They want any donations in Sam's memory to be made to the Wallace and Gromit appeal, a fund set up five years ago to raise money for a new children's hospital in Bristol.

l To find out more information on Sam's condition, and read Simon and Sarah's moving online diary, visit www.jetasolutions. co.uk/baby