MEDICS at a Burnley health centre have won praise for their skills after a five-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis.

The parents of little Ben Whittaker, of Hillside, Burnley, have already praised staff at the St Peter's Centre, in Church Street, for their quick-thinking actions.

As soon as Ben was brought in, suffering from headaches, delirium and a rash, a doctor at the St Nicholas practice group gave him a shot of penicillin and packed him off to the Royal Blackburn hospital for treatment.

The GP whose prompt actions helped to save Ben's life, according to his parents Barry and Jayne, was Dr Krishnapillai Ranjit. Dr John Haworth, director of health standards at East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, which oversees the St Peter's centre, has also praised Dr Ranjit.

He said: "This is a very serious illness and we are delighted with the GP's speedy diagnosis and treatment.

"We are delighted at the outcome and it is gratifying that the boy's parents have passed on their thanks."

Doctors were hopeful that Rosewood Primary pupil Ben would be able to return home, with medication, for Christmas Day. He was diagnosed with meningococal septaecemia, a form of meninigitis which can be fatal without urgent care.