By Anna Lindsay BBC News, Portsmouth

Charlotte spent time at home with her family for the first time

But since then Charlotte - who was left severely disabled when she was born three months early weighing just 1lb (0.45kg) - has defied the 5% chance of survival doctors gave her.

And on Tuesday, aged two, Charlotte was taken home by her parents to their two-bedroom flat in Portsmouth for the very first time.

The visit was only two hours long, but Charlotte had never before left the grounds of nearby St Mary's Hospital.

We just wish she was still here Debbie Wyatt

The trip home comes just six weeks after the High Court lifted a ruling which said doctors need not resuscitate Charlotte in a life-threatening situation, if they decided it was not in her best interests.

Doctors still have the right to make a final decision but must now consult with Charlotte's parents and take into account their wishes before making a decision.

Charlotte and her father Darren opening an early Christmas present

Charlotte's father, Darren, 33, told the BBC News website that taking Charlotte home "felt like Christmas had come early".

"Charlotte's lived beyond all the expectations. She's a fighter," he said.

Supervised by medical staff, Charlotte, who needs oxygen around the clock, was connected to breathing equipment that was already waiting at the family home.

Mr Wyatt and his wife Debbie, 24, who have three other young children including a premature newborn baby, spent their short time with Charlotte making things as normal as possible.

I did start to cry on the way back in the car Darren Wyatt

"We just focused on Charlotte because it was her first day here," Mrs Wyatt said.

"We changed her nappy - just simple things."

Clearing up after the visit, which was a private family affair, Mr Wyatt said: "We let her open one of her Christmas presents because I thought it was a special occasion, and I would prefer her to open her Christmas presents here than in hospital.

The Wyatts are hoping to move to a bigger home

"I helped her do it and it was nice to see the expressions on her face.

"Then we played with her toys, we gave her dinner, and she needed her medicines too, so we did all that," he added.

Mr Wyatt said their home without Charlotte suddenly felt "a bit empty" and added: "I did start to cry on the way back in the car."

"We just wish she was still here," Mrs Wyatt said.

A spokeswoman for Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust said it could not comment on Charlotte's trip home, as the day was a private occasion.

She was smiling and really enjoyed today Darren Wyatt

The Wyatts are now hoping Charlotte may be allowed home again in the next few weeks, including on Christmas Day.

This could then pave the way for her to live at home permanently by next March, if the family is re-housed in time to a bigger council home.

Charlotte in her hospital bed, where she lives

The family needs more space to accommodate four young children and Charlotte's medical equipment.

The city council has said it has been working towards securing the family a bigger home.

Mr Wyatt said: "I suppose we've just got to wait until we can have her here again, and keep praying that she will keep getting better and better and that the council can re-house us as soon as they can - and then we can have her home for good.

"She was smiling and really enjoyed today.

"She knows that this is where she belongs and this is where home is."