WHEN little Ruby Fallingham celebrates her first birthday tomorrow, mum Lorna Smith will shed a tear of happiness.

Just days ago, the tot stopped breathing twice - and went blue in the face as passers-by desperately battled to save her.

On both occasions she was revived, and puzzled doctors have since been unable to establish what caused her to stop breathing.

Miss Smith said she was terrified her daughter might not make it to her first birthday.

She said: "She's obviously a little fighter, but it was terrifying at the time.

"There were times when I thought she wouldn't make it to her first birthday, so I'm just so relieved and thankful that she's recovered and seems to be doing really well."

Ruby was sick on Wednesday morning and her childminder Jacky Seddon realised something was wrong.

She saw that Ruby had stopped breathing and quickly resuscitated her and immediately contacted the child's family.

Ruby was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where she was given the all-clear and Miss Smith took her home.

But in the afternoon disaster struck again when Ruby was out with her family and stopped breathing. This time, a passing Bolton firefighter, Ian Nicholson, stopped to help and gave the Ruby CPR life-saving treatement.

Doctors are still unsure what caused Ruby to stop breathing, and have warned her parents that it could happen again.

Miss Smith, aged 23, of Mealhouse Lane, Atherton, said: "Jacky and Ian played a huge part in saving Ruby's life and deserve recognition.

"Because of everything that's gone on, we're still not sure what we'll be doing for Ruby's birthday, but whatever it is, it will be a celebration with all our family and friends to mark a special occasion for our little girl."

Mrs Seddon, aged 43, has been a childminder for 15 years and has been looking after Ruby for six months.

She said: "Ruby had been sick which was nothing out of the ordinary, but she went floppy and I realised something was wrong. She was a horrible colour.

"I blew into her mouth and she started breathing again and I called the family. I have never seen anything like this before and hope I never do again."