A baby boy has been shortlisted for an award for the determination and courage he showed after being born prematurely.

Eashaan Vithlani has been nominated for the First Choice Holiday Villages Little Champion Award, given to a child born prematurely who has battled against the odds to survive.

The 10-month-old’s father Vikesh Vithlani put his son forward for the award for the spirit shown since being born at 28 weeks.

Seven days after his premature birth Eashaan developed meningitis.

When allowed to go home in July the baby boy was on oxygen and a short while later needed a double hernia operation.

Vikesh, 46, said: “It was only a couple of weeks ago that Eashaan came off oxygen for the first time.

“Throughout all of this, he has given me and my wife, Jaishree, nothing but smiles, even today he hardly cries and is such a good boy.

“We are such proud parents of this little soldier who fought to make it through his early months at Northwick Park Hospital.”

The winners of the Tommy Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 16 at the Landmark Hotel in London.

The Tommy Awards is in its 23rd year.

It recognises heroes of families who have been touched by pregnancy complications or the loss of a baby.

One in four parents lose a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth each year in the UK.

Around 60,000 babies are born prematurely each year.

Tommy Awards categories are Super Sibling, Little Champion, Doting Dad, Inspirational Mum, Inspirational Family, Healthcare Hero, Star Researcher, Mum’s Voice, Act of Kindness and Star Fundraiser.