Parents who lost their baby daughter to a rare genetic disorder are determined that some good should come from the tragedy.

Nicola Whitfield and Matthew Watson have raised hundreds of pounds for Rainbows children's hospice in memory of their "little fighter", Sienna Rose.

She was diagnosed with Edward's syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects one in every 8,000 births.

It leads to serious abnormalities in the heart and other organs.

The couple, of Asfordby, near Melton, were told their baby might not survive the pregnancy, but decided to carry on.

Nicola, 29, said: "It is very hard to be told your baby 'isn't compatible with life', but I couldn't have a termination – I wanted to meet my daughter."

Sienna Rose was born weighing just 5lbs 2ozs.

Nicola, a health treatments supervisor, said: "She looked like a premature baby and had to be fed by tube, but she was a little fighter and we soon realised she was determined to stick around."

The family was referred to the Rainbows hospice in Loughborough, where staff cared for them and Sienna Rose.

Nicola said: "Everyone there was fantastic. They were so supportive and Sienna Rose had her own room and carer.

"When she was just five days old she became ill and had to be readmitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary for a while.

"She couldn't cope with colds and, because of her condition, there would be times when she held her breath. It was really distressing and you felt you had to watch her all the time."

Sienna Rose needed constant care but, at seven-and-a-half weeks, she lost her battle with life.

Nicola said: "It may only have been a short time, but it was so lovely to have Sienna Rose around for that time."

Nicola and her colleagues are now raising money for Rainbows.

She said: "Everyone was so kind and supportive and it meant we could also spend time with our two-year-old son, Theo.

"We wanted to give Rainbows something back in return and are helping to raise money for the hospice."

Staff at Ragdale Hall, where Nicola works, have so far helped to raise more than £700 for the hospice with an auction to provide pampering treatments among colleagues.

Vicki Taylor, of Ragdale Hall, said: "Everyone has rallied round. Colleagues wanted to do something to raise money for this very worthwhile charity in Sienna Rose's memory."