A MOTHER today told of her devastation after her two-year-old daughter died of suspected meningitis.

Kourtney Burns, of Audley Range, Blackburn, died after her blood pressure dropped and she suffered five heart attacks.

And today more than 200 children who attend St Oswald's CE Primary and playgroup in Knuzden, where Kourtney went, were receiving emergency vaccinations.

Kourtney's mum Sharron wept as she described how she had asked friends and relatives to pray for her blonde haired toddler. But on Thursday Kourtney lost her fight in Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester.

"It sounds cruel but I just wish it was someone else and I was visiting them. There are so many kids that nobody wants. Why does it have to be me?" she said.

Heartbroken Sharron and her husband Joe are being comforted by family, including their six children and foster daughter who flew in from America early today.

Mrs Burns said she took Kourtney to Blackburn Infirmary on Wednesday afternoon because she appeared to have hurt her leg. She went on: "I picked her up from nursery and she was fine. When we got home my friend came round with her little girl and later, when Kourtney wouldn't lay her leg down, I thought she must have banged it playing.

"I took her to hospital and they found two spots on her neck and one in her hair, but I thought it was chickenpox.

"The nurse agreed and I took her home. I didn't know that meningitis can affect muscles or joints. If I had I would never have brought her home."

Mrs Burns stayed up to give the child fluids and keep her cool until 4.30am. She added: "I fell asleep with her and woke up about 7am. She had a rash and I did the glass test. I knew it was meningitis and took her to the hospital straight away.

"I saw the doctor who had examined Kourtney the day before. But I can't blame them. If I'm going to blame anyone it has to me. I brought her home."

Staff at the hospital gave Kourtney antibiotics within five minutes of arriving and immediately began to make arrangements to transfer the child to Manchester.

But her blood pressure began to drop and she was unable to be moved until 2pm.

She died at 7.10pm on Thursday after suffering five heart attacks.

Mrs Burns said: "She looked ill, she had swelled up because of the drugs. They tried everything.

"The doctor in Manchester was very honest with me. He said she was very, very poorly. I told him to try everything he could and he did. I am thankful for that.

"Kourtney was a gifted little girl. I know everyone says that about their children but she was a gift in life. Shewas blonde with big blue eyes and addicted to talking. She wanted to kiss everybody we met and loved going to nursery. Her eyes would light up when we got there."

Public health officials said Kourtney had not received the new meningitis C vaccine against the brain bug although they are waiting for the results of laboratory tests to confirm which strain she had.

Kourtney's funeral will take place on Wednesday at St Alban's Church, Blackburn, followed by burial at Pleasington Cemetery. She leaves six brothers and sisters Sarajane, Jaybe, Traci, Nathan, Joshua and Enid.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph's meningitis helpline number is 0990 446644. Enter selection 8219.