A DOCTOR who examined a three-year-old girl hours before she died from meningitis says she has been left "desperately sad" by the toddler's death.

The family GP, who does not want to be named, insisted that Morgan Leyland did not show symptoms of meningitis when she examined her.

The little girl died from the meningococcal form of meningitis despite her parents taking their daughter to the Landmark House medical centre 10 hours before her death.

Her heartbroken parents, Sharon and Robert, of Crawford Avenue, Darcy Lever, said they were advised by the female GP that their child simply needed rest and a mild headache medicine. But Morgan later died despite her parents, rushing her to Pendlebury Children's Hospital. In a statement, the GP said: "It is little consolation for the family that the child's symptoms were typical of a simple viral infection and that the rash did not show the features of meningitis at the time that she was examined.

"The family did raise the possibility of meningitis and indeed that possible diagnosis was discussed and considered. However, during the examination, the symptoms did not point to this awful disease."

The doctor said the family acted wisely when they sought further medical advice when the rash became "characteristically that of meningitis".

A spokesman for the doctor said: "The doctor is very distressed that, despite carefully examining the child and doing everything she could, the tragic consequences have delivered such an appalling blow to Mr and Mrs Leyland."

Staff and parents of children at Daisychains Private Nursery on Bury Road, Bolton, which Morgan attended, have been given advice about meningitis. But according to the Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, the chance of another child at the nursery being infected is as low as one in 1,500. Public health chiefs have been tracing people who may have been in close contact with Morgan and they have been treated with antibiotics.

Youngsters, parents and staff at the nursery have not been treated. They are not deemed to be at high risk. Instead, nursery manager Joanne McClellan has written to parents, making them aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

Mrs McClellan said she was "devastated and heartbroken" to hear about Morgan's death.

Morgan's parents were meeting health bosses today to discuss the circumstances surrounding their daughter's death.

SYMPTONS TO BE AWARE OF

PARENTS should be aware of the following symptoms of menninicoccal meningitis:

Rash (develops anywhere on the body but not always present).

Fever and vomiting.

Cold hands and feet.

Rapid breathing.

Stomach, joint or muscle pain.

Drowsiness,

Severe headache.

Stiff neck and dislike of bright lights (these symptoms are unusual in young children with meningitis.

Septicaemia can follow these symptoms, but not in all cases.

If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against a septicaemic rash, the rash will not fade.

You will be able to see the rash through the glass. If this happens get medical help immediately.

Professional advice and information about meningitis is available 24 hours a day from NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or from the Meningitis Trust 0845 6000 800.