by Anna Lindsay BBC News, Portsmouth

Charlotte has her own room in hospital, where she lives

Two-year-old Charlotte, who was born at 26 weeks leaving her severely disabled, has spent her whole life living at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth.

Her parents, Debbie and Darren Wyatt, said doctors have agreed Charlotte can have a day visit at home next Tuesday.

She may then be allowed home for up to five hours on Christmas Day.

Only last month, on Charlotte's second birthday, the High Court removed an order which allowed doctors not to resuscitate her should her condition worsen, if they considered that it was not in her best interest to do so.

Born weighing just 1lb (0.45kg), Charlotte was left with severe sight, hearing and organ damage and has to have oxygen around the clock.

The decision to allow her home on day visits was made at a meeting between the Wyatts, Charlotte's consultant, the primary care trust and social services on Monday.

It's like a never-ending battle. But we're not going to give in Darren Wyatt

Mr Wyatt, 33, of Buckland, Portsmouth, told the BBC News website it was a "step forward" to Charlotte being able to live at home permanently.

He and Mrs Wyatt, 24, have been told that could be a reality by March.

Charlotte, whose initial prognosis was poor, now reaches out, can eat solid food and is more aware of her surroundings.

The improvement she has made in her short life has caused the courts to rethink her right to live, should she stop breathing.

But Mr Wyatt said that before Charlotte can join her family, the couple - who live in a two-bedroom council flat with their three other children, Daniel, two, David, one, and newborn Christina - need a bigger home.

They are on a list, waiting for a new property.

"I feel really happy she's coming home but upset about the housing, it's really bad," he said.

'Properties limited'

"The council can't guarantee us being rehoused - we could have to wait up to 12 months.

"We need at least four bedrooms and until we are rehoused everything is at a standstill basically."

A Portsmouth City Council spokeswoman said an assessment had been carried out to determine Charlotte's needs and they were aware the family was "anxious" to be rehoused within five miles of the hospital.

Charlotte Wyatt has been improving and eating solid food

They were looking for a suitable property but were "limited" by what was available.

"We will continue to work towards securing an appropriate home for Charlotte and the rest of the family when she is ready for hospital discharge," the spokeswoman said.

The Wyatts fear that if Charlotte is forced to wait in hospital longer than required, there is a greater risk of her catching an infection.

Mr Wyatt said: "What if the ward gets a virus and, because we didn't take Charlotte home when she was able to go, she isn't allowed out at all.

"We just want Charlotte home and to get on with our lives now," he added.

"It's like a never-ending battle. But we're not going to give in."