A BABY boy who was struck down by meningitis after allegedly being wrongly diagnosed with suspected measles is making a good recovery and is expected to be able to go home from hospital in the next few days.

Six-month-old Vanna Howarth, who almost died from meningococcal septicaemia -- a deadly strain of the disease, is now in a comfortable condition at The Royal Bolton Hospital.

And his father Brent Howarth said he hopes to have his son back at their Great Lever home within the next week.

Mr Howarth has claimed that the Swan Lane Medical Centre in Bolton, would not send a locum doctor to go and visit the baby boy at their Tildsley Street, Great Lever home, when he became ill.

Vanna was suffering from a high temperature, cold hands and feet, high pitched crying, vomiting and a faint rash.

And Mr Howarth also claims that when he and his wife Ann took Vanna to see a doctor at the Landmark House Medical Centre in Chorley New Road told Mr Howarth they were told that it was suspected measles and were given a prescription for Ibuprofen.

But by the next morning, the rash on Vanna had started to turn from red spots to large brown bruises. The couple took took him to the Royal Bolton Hospital where meningococcal septicaemia was immediately diagnosed.

Mrs Howarth, aged 37, has been keeping a vigil at his bedside, while Mr Howarth looks after his three older brothers at home.

Mr Howarth, aged 47, a yard manager at Bolton Scaffolding Ltd, said: "It's been a difficult time for all the family. But since the article was published in the Bolton Evening News, we've had a lot of friends ringing up and offering their support." Officials at Swan Lane Medical Centre are investigating the concerns raised by the Howarths.

And bosses at the Bolton Primary Care Trust, which oversees the running of health centres, have pledged to investigate if the family register a formal complaint with them.

RECOVERING: Six-month-old Vanna Howarth