A COUPLE whose baby boy survived a suspected meningitis scare have praised staff at his nursery and the doctors and nurses who treated him.

Mum Gill Eastwood said aid and advice given by nursery staff helped her and husband Craig to spot the symptoms quickly.

"We've been to hell and back this past week," admitted Craig, "but he's home and back to normal now."

Nine-month-old Benjamin was the second youngster at Le Monde Petit Nursery, Burnley, to catch the potentially fatal disease but his parents are keen to stress that they have only praise for the nursery and its staff.

"We're delighted with the nursery and staff they were instrumental in finding what was wrong with Benjamin very quickly," said Gill. "As soon as the first case was found they sent out leaflets, contacted parents and made sure all our questions were answered. They gave out information on how to spot the symptoms which helped us when he was ill.

"If it had not been for them giving out advice and information we might not have been aware of it as quickly as we were. They've been absolutely brilliant. We'd also like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Burnley General."

Nursery staff are organising a 15-mile sponsored walk on June 2 to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation. The Eastwoods, who have joined the foundation, are planning to take part and have appealed to local people and firms to help with sponsorship.

Benjamin, the Burnley couple's only child, started showing symptoms of meningitis septicemia at home last Monday and his worried parents rushed him to Burnley General Hospital that night. Five days later, after numerous tests and a course of antibiotics, he was released and has made a full recovery. The results of the test have not come back yet.

Staff at the nursery reassured parents that there was no evidence to link the two cases with the building.

In April, 22-month-old Sophie Bilham, of Wood Street, Hapton, was diagnosed with meningoccal meningitis. The signs were spotted early and she has made a full recovery.

The telephone number for the Meningitis Research Foundation is 01454 281811.

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