A SCHOOLBOY who contracted meningitis a day before his sixth birthday has arrived home from hospital -- and celebrated with a belated party.

David Merry, of Bolton Road, Abbey Village, was released from Manchester's Booth Hall Hospital on Monday afternoon, just ten days after his parents feared they would lose him.

The bubbly youngster, a pupil at Abbey Village Primary School, was sent home from school two weeks ago when teachers realised he was unwell.

And it was only a telephone call from David's teacher at about 9pm that night that prompted his mum Susan, 35, to check him for one of the symptoms of the deadly disease -- rash-like spots.

On discovering a couple of the spots on David's chest, Susan immediately did the 'tumbler' test and called the emergency doctor when they did not disappear.

She said: "When the spots wouldn't disappear I knew I had to call the doctor. It was amazing to see how quickly David's condition changed. In about half an hour he had turned ghostly white and looked very ill."

David was treated by a doctor at home before being taken to Preston Royal Hospital by ambulance, where his condition deteriorated. He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe then later transferred to the Manchester Children's Hospital where he remained in intensive care for more than a week while his parents kept a bedside vigil.

Dad Nigel, 36, said today: "We were told by hospital staff that if we had left David half an hour longer he wouldn't be here today. "He didn't show all the symptoms that meningitis victims have, he didn't have a headache, or a sore throat, it was just the rash we noticed.

"Doctors said that's the last thing you see but it's the one thing everybody looks for."

But looking forward to spending Christmas with the son she nearly lost, his mum said: "It's just nice to have him back home again. It will be an extra special Christmas this year.

"It was so close to the edge but I don't think he really knows to what extent he was ill.

"He's still a bit wobbly on his legs but the difference in him now is amazing. He's eating and drinking so I'm sure he'll be back to normal very soon."

David, who last year had a 100 per cent attendance record at school, said today he was glad to be home and was looking forward to Christmas at home: "I'm feeling better now. I got lots of things for my birthday and I'm getting a new bike for Christmas."

Picture: Nigel and Susan Merry