CLAIRE Peters blamed her weight when she suffered two miscarriages. But a new diet, which saw her eating a tiny amount every 15 minutes, meant her prayers for a baby were finally answered.

The 27-year-old, of Malpas Road, Newport, always dreamed of having a baby and was growing increasingly desperate for a child.

It was only after her second miscarriage in March last year that the former Bettws High School pupil discovered she had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - cysts on the ovaries.

PCOS causes a hormone imbalance which can make it difficult for women to conceive but for Mrs Peters the problem was that it also slowed her metabolism, meaning she struggled to lose weight.

Her doctors said this was why she was not managing to hold babies to full-term.

But after surfing the internet she discovered a possible solution. By following the Vitaline Burns technique, which led to her eating a cube of food, such as carrot, every 15 minutes as well as regular meals, her weight fell from 18 stone to 15 stone in just eight weeks.

She became pregnant for a third time just a few months after starting the metabolism-boosting diet.

"The first time I miscarried I was numb," said Mrs Peters, who is married to Leightan, 31, and is assistant manager at Clinton Cards in Newport.

"The second time I just got on with it because I expected it to happen. We always dreamed of having a baby and when I became pregnant againI was constantly in fear of it happening again.

"But as each week passed I knew it was a milestone and our dream came true."

Mrs Peters said her doctor welcomed news of the diet.

"She supported it 100 per cent because I was not depriving myself of anything."

Weighing in at 7lb 7oz, baby Neve was born at the Royal Gwent Hospital on December 19.

Days after giving birth, Mrs Peters and her husband were sent a letter confirming an appointment for IVF infertility treatment.

But the relieved couple, who say they want three more children, were able to tear it up.

"I'm already back on the diet," she said. "It's thanks to the diet that Neve is here today.

"She is absolutely gorgeous, with blonde hair and blue eyes and a lovely character. I couldn't be happier."