The parents of a baby who underwent emergency treatment after developing a life-threatening illness have pledged to buy a £75,000 ambulance to help other youngsters.

Louise and Alan Somerville, from Thornton, have planned a series of fundraising events kicking off with a sponsored walk on July 28.

They were plunged into a nightmare when their youngest child, baby Sam, developed a rare condition.

He became so ill that his parents were told that even moving him from his hospital bed on to the trolley might kill him.

Tests revealed that he had an inverted birthmark which was leaking around his major organs. He was diagnosed as suffering from haemangioma and treated at Leeds General Hospital.

Alan, who is a part-time pastor at Allerton Congregational Church and a financial director, said today: "It was a terrible time. There were several occasions when we thought we might lose Sam.

"The hospital said that it was our decision whether we went ahead with the treatment because the risk of even moving him off the bed was so great."

Mr Somerville, 36, said there were only a few specially adapted paediatric ambulances available. "We had to take Sam to Intensive Care at Cookridge but he had to go in an paediatric ambulance. We had to wait for treatment because there was no ambulance available."

He said: "We understood that the ambulance service had to prioritise and we aren't angry that there aren't enough. We just want to say 'thank you' on behalf of Sam by getting a new ambulance which can help others."

Mrs Somerville, 31, described how Sam changed from a happy healthy baby into a distressed one.

Sam had to undergo steroid treatment and an operation and then finally radiotherapy.

"Sam is 95 per cent well and we can't believe we've got through the experience. But we just want to make sure that others don't have to go through the same thing."

The couple, who have another son, Jacob, three, were full of praise for hospital staff.

"They were fantastic and they are really pleased we are trying to help."

Michelle Milner, team leader of paediatric intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary, said: "We bought an ambulance in 1996 and that is now not as good as it was so it is wonderful that this family are raising money to buy a new one.

"The paediatric ambulance transports very ill children and the service is highly specialised.

"We purchased the last ambulance through charitable funding."

The paediatric ambulance will be serviced and staffed by West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service.

Anyone who wants to help is asked to call (07968) 060613.