A toddler who defied the odds in his fight for life after contracting meningitis has inspired a charity spectacular this weekend.

Doctors feared the worst for brave three-year-old William Baldwin, from Colne, after he caught the killer bug in April.

He was rushed to Airedale General Hospital then on to the children's unit at Leeds General Infirmary, where he remained in intensive care for a fortnight.

William, of Cotton Tree Lane, suffered paralysing brain damage and lost his eyesight as a result of type B meningitis.

But he has amazed medics and his family with his resilience and is now responding well to intensive physiotherapy.

He has regained some move-ment on his right side and most of his sight has been recovered.

And on Sunday he will be leading the way at a toddle waddle' - a sponsored walk for youngsters - at Pendle Leisure Centre to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

Dad Chris Baldwin, 35 said: "William wasn't very well at a barbecue. He had a rash and we did the glass test but it went away so we didn't think it was meningitis.

"He fell asleep on April 20 and we couldn't wake him so we took him down to Airedale Hospital.

"He was admitted straight away when they saw how poorly he was. The doctor diagnosed meningitis."

The couple were informed by doctors that they would have to prepare for the worst on a number of occasions, as he remained very poorly. Chris, an IT project manager, added: "On a few occasions we thought his number was up because they were talking about organ donation.

"But he fought it and came through and two-and-a-half weeks after being admitted he started coming round.

"I asked him if he could hear me and he was a bit sleepy but nodded his head and that was like a thousand fireworks.

"He is a superstar. He never complained about what happened and has just got on with it. It was against the odds.

"He should not have survived and we are so proud of him."

Chris and mum Jackie, 38, a bank worker, only expected to collect £500 but with support of family and friends they now expect to raise nearly £1,200.

Leisure centre chiefs have donated the hall free of charge and the family is now looking for an entertainer for the event.

Contact Chris via the website below.