CORRIE star Kate Ford visited a premature baby unit and revealed: "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for this place."

The Coronation Street actress - who plays bad-girl Tracy Barlow - told nurses at Hope Hospital in Salford that she had spent weeks in an incubator there after weighing in at just 3lb when born.

Looking tenderly at new baby patient Adam, who weighs 1lb less than she did, the actress said it was difficult to imagine herself in the same position.

She also revealed that co-star Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk in the soap, was also a premature baby.

She said: "I owe my life to this place and I wanted to come here today because I feel like I need to pay them back, I owe it to them.

"I don't remember it obviously, but my mum said she remembers coming to a glass window with my grandma and looking in at the incubators.

Humbling

"They saw a baby who was very sick and were desperately worried because they thought it was me, but I had been moved to another room and was doing fine.

"Being born prematurely hasn't affected me at all."

She added: "It is a very humbling experience to come here. Acting is such a selfish job, yet there are people here who have given their lives to caring for these tiny babies.

"They do a fantastic job. It certainly puts things into perspective."

Her visit came mid way through the screening of the stormy plot-line which saw Tracy try to sell her own baby to the Croppers, before snatching it back and ruining the wedding of the baby's dad Steve.

The Worsley-born actress was visiting the hospital on behalf of the national charity Baby Lifeline to launch a competition to celebrate the good work of maternity teams across the country.

Delighted

Judges of The Maternity Unit Miracles awards want people to nominate maternity teams who have gone that extra mile to help mums and babies.

Maxine Pamphlett, a senior sister in the premature baby ward at Hope, said: "We are delighted Kate came to visit. I think seeing her here will help parents to see what premature babies can go on to achieve."

Each year around 8,500 babies die in the UK. Judy Ledger set up Baby Lifeline more than 20 years ago after losing three babies.

The Coventry-based charity raises money to support hospitals around the country with equipment and training and education programmes for health workers.

Also involved with Baby Lifeline are the Street's Jimmi Harkishin, who plays shopkeeper Dev, who is the charity's vice-president, and Salford-raised movie star Ben Kingsley.

For more information about the awards visit:www.babylifeline.org.uk or call 02476 422135 for a nomination form. The closing date for nominations is June 21.

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