A RELIEVED mother said a huge 'thank-you' to hospital staff this week as her young son was allowed to recover at home from the killer bug meningitis.

Catherine Turner was overjoyed at being reunited with five-year-old Michael, who cuddled his favourite teddies and read his many 'get well' cards from family, friends and well-wishers.

Michael was just hours out of hosptial when his exhausted mum spoke exclusively to the Citizen from her stone-built terraced home in Withnell on Tuesday evening.

She said: "I just want to thank everyone at the Royal Preston for all their care and attention. They were wonderful."

Catherine, aged 23, is now trying to get her life back to normal.

Days earlier she was stunned to discover that Michael, a pupil at Abbey Village Primary School, in Bolton Road, had been struck down by meningitis -- a killer brain bug and the nightmare of parents of young children everywhere.

And as the small close-knit community welcomed home one of its young members, its thoughts and prayers go out to another, David Merry, who has also contracted the disease and is still in intensive care at Pendlebury Children's Hospital, in Manchester.

A close friend of Catherine's said: "She didn't care about anything, only Michael. She is still in pieces at the moment over it all, but I think she's coming back down to earth. She's so relieved to have him back.

"Let's hope David is home soon, too."

David and Michael, who are in the same class at school, were admitted to hospital at the end of last week.

A spokesman for Pendlebury Children's Hospital, Manchester, where David is being treated, described his condition as 'stable' as the Citizen went to press on Tuesday.

The bug was first detected when Michael complained of a headache last Thursday. Catherine took him to Withnell Health Centre after discovering a rash and he was rushed to hospital.

David, of Bolton Road, Abbey Village, became ill shortly afterwards. Health chiefs said it was most unusual for there to be a second case.

Michael's infection was reported to South Lancashire Health Authority who sent a team to the school offering antibiotics. Dr Kenneth Lamden, consultant in public health medicine, wrote to head teacher Linda Grounds after the first case saying that the chances of another case at the school was 'negligible'. However he warned parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms. He said: "The recent introduction of the new vaccination for meningitis C has reduced the number of cases of this strain of meningitis but cases of the B strain will still occur.

"As we are approaching the time of year that meningitis occurs we should take this opportunity of ensuring that all the children have been offered meningitis C vaccination."

Dr Andrew Howe, registrar in public health medicine, said: "The school did a sterling job in arranging for the staff and children to get antibiotics on Friday afternoon. In fact one hundred per cent took it up."

Dr Howe said results of tests to detect the type of meningitis strain would be known today (Thursday).

Meningitis: what to look out for --

THE harmful germ which causes the meningococcal disease is carried in the throat of about 10 per cent of the population who remain symptomless.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

The germ is spread by drops from the nose and throat through close contact. It cannot be picked up by working in the same building, from swimming pools or from clean eating utensils.

The National Meningitis Trust 24 hour helpline is -- 0845 6000800.

What to look for:

Severe headache

Fever.

Rash, particularly where the skin underneath does not whiten if pressure is applied.

Stiff neck

Light hurting the eyes.

Vomiting, feeling sick.

Inappropriate drowsiness.

In very young children off feeds -- inconsolable crying not comforted by being cuddled and hugged, fever and rash.