THE family of a baby girl fighting a rare digestive problem have pledged their support to the children's ward where she is being treated.

Five-month-old Lauren Davis, who was born at Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital, was transferred to the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Birmingham for life-saving treatment after it was discovered she could not digest food.

And her father, Andrew Davis, and grandfather, Adie Cornes, are all set to cycle from Worcester to Birmingham tomorrow in aid of ward eight, where Lauren has been treated since May.

The tot was just three weeks old when her father and her mother, Amanda Cornes, became aware she could not hold her food down.

Since her arrival at the children's hospital, she has undergone tests in the specially-equipped ward, receiving essential nutrients directly into her blood stream to keep her alive.

This requires a parenteral line, which the couple are being taught to operate - and they are hoping Lauren will be home for Christmas.

She will be linked to a machine through the night but be able to live a relatively normal life during the day.

Mr Cornes, aged 47, a warehouse operative at Sainsbury's in Blackpole, said the family wanted to give something back to the hospital.

"There are a lot of poorly children and it would be nice to be able to say we have helped in some way," he said.

The pair have been sponsored to the tune of around £500 already if they complete the 30-mile ride, although pledges are still coming in.