EAST Lancashire MPs are pressing health bosses to answer questions about the death of a toddler from meningitis after errors by hospital staff.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust admitted that 13-month-old Ethan Smith would probably have been lived if he had been properly cared for on Christmas Day two years ago.

They apologised for the errors made and said steps had been taken to ensure that nothing similar happened again, although no staff have been disciplined.

Ethan, who lived with his family close to Blackburn Infirmary, was taken to the hospital after becoming ill on Christmas morning but even though he was transferred to Queen's Park Hospital for observation, his family claimed all the classic symptoms of meningitis were ignored until it was too late.

Blackburn MP and Home Secretary Jack Straw is contacting the family before speaking to health bosses to ensure that the lessons of the tragedy are learned.

And Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans is to arrange a meeting with trust chief executive John Thomas to put four crucial questions that he believes need to be answered to him.

And the two MPs have the backing of fellow local MPs Greg Pope and Janet Anderson.

Mr Evans will ask Mr Thomas:

As the doctor at accident and emergency wrote down five classic symptoms of meningitis, why did a nurse at Queen's Park Hospital suggest he had a sore throat and his parents may want to take him home?

Why did a doctor refuse to do the glass test and dismiss the suggestions of meningitis?

When Ethan vomited red fluid, why did a nurse suggest he might have choked on his own fingers?

Why was no one disciplined?"

Ethan's mother Michaela Smith and grandmother Jacqui Helleur are appalled by the lack of proper treatment. They said that only when they noticed bruising was he transferred to Booth Hall Children's Hospital in Manchester where he died three days later.

Home Secretary Jack Straw, MP for Blackburn, said: "I am obviously very concerned about the case. I will contact the family. Nothing can bring this poor child back but it's important lessons are learned. I shall be contacting the hospital and health authority to ensure that they are."

Mr Evans added: "I think that parents would be extremely concerned at this tragic occurrence.

"There are vital questions that need to be answered.

"This must never happen again. Parents need to be reassured that everything is being done and there is no repeat of the errors and enormous foot dragging of this case."

Hyndburn Labour MP Mr Pope said: "This is a terrible tragedy and it must never be repeated.

"There are questions that need to be answered and Parents need to be reassured that there will be safe treatment for children from the whole trust area."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson, said: "I shall fully support Jack Straw and local MPs of all parties in finding out exactly what happened and ensuring it never happens again."