A GRATEFUL couple today praised medics for saving the life of their baby son who was struck down with the killer bug meningitis.

Lee Lawrenson, 24, and Jessica Francis,18, were convinced they would lose nine-month-old Kyle when a rash developed on his body.

They rushed him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary on May 18 and he was later transferred to Queen's Park Hospital where doctors treated him for meningitis as a precaution.

He was found to be suffering from meningococcal septicemia, the more serious blood poisoning strain of meningitis, and was only allowed home to his family after spending four days at the hospital.

Lee and Jessica's fear of meningitis had been heightened by the death of 13-month-old Ethan Smith, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, after he developed the same strain of the disease in December.

"I was living close to Ethan's mum, Michaela, when he died at Christmas and it made us even more paranoid about meningitis," said Lee, of Rothesay Road, Shadsworth, Blackburn.

"It's every parents worse nightmare and we both broke down when the doctors confirmed our fears.

"Luckily we caught it in time for the treatment to work and the staff at Queen's Park Hospital were wonderful.

"Without a doubt they saved Kyle's life and deserve credit for it."

The little boy, who has an older brother, Jordan, two, is now being treated with antibiotics and is due have a hearing test before being given the all clear.

Lee, who works in the community office at Blackburn Rovers, added: "We hope something positive comes from our experience, if it's only that parents realise there is hope.

"Our advice would be, if you are in any doubt, get your child checked out because it could be a matter of life and death."

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