A DAD, whose little boy contracted meningitis twice when he was just six months old is urging parents to read up on the signs and symptoms.

Craig Bennett wants parents to familiarise themselves with other signs of the virus as when Mason, now three-and-a-half, fell ill he didn't have the tell-tale rash despite the rest of his symptoms pointing to meningitis.

Craig and wife Suzanne were told that Mason may have suffered brain damage as a result of the disease but the family are now celebrating after the youngster was recently moved into reception a year early.

"The biggest thing and the thing people always say about meningitis is about looking for a rash," said 44-year-old Craig.

"When Mason fell ill we took him to the doctor, they asked me if he had a rash and I said no - they didn't look themselves.

"I was told he had a virus and sent home. By 6pm that night he was lying in A and E and we were being told he may not make the night.

"It wasn't until 36 hours later that they said he would survive and it wasn't long afterwards that we were told he was showing signs of brain damage. I just thought he is still with us - anything else we can cope with.

"If we had just listened to the doctor and not taken him to hospital that night I don't think he would have survived the night."

Mason was discharged after nearly four weeks in hospital but less that four weeks later he was back in hospital.

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Craig, of Landor Close, Lowton, said: "We took him back to hospital and were told he had an infection because it wouldn't be meningitis again but they kept him in to be on the safe side and the blood tests showed he had it again.

"They did lots of tests to find out why but they think we were just unlucky. so much emphasis is put on the rash and especially now the weather is getting colder and more viruses are around, parents need to know the signs and symptoms.

"Mason is so ahead of himself now. They have moved him into reception but he can do things that they won't learn until the end of the year.

"When someone says brain damage to you you imagine the worst but three years later he is doing really well."

For advice on symptoms, visit facebook.com/MeningitisNow.