AN information van will be in Victoria Square on Thursday to pass on information about the deadly illness meningitis.

Just a week after the death of schoolboy Ashley Rigby, the National Meningitis Trust's Mobile Awareness Vehicle and Information Service-MAVIS-will be in the square in front of the town hall.

The Trust insists the visit was scheduled weeks before Ashley, aged four, died and hopes parents will visit the unit which will be the square from 10am-4pm.

Staff from the Trust will be on hand to answer questions about meningitis and talk confidentially to people about any concerns they may have.

MAVIS was launched in September 1996 during the National Meningitis Trust's annual awareness week.

Since then the vehicle has been travelling around the country to raise general awareness about meningitis, its signs and symptoms.

The unit's visit to Bolton is an extension of the awareness tour, and it is hoped that people living in the area will take advantage of the opportunity to find out about meningitis.

A Trust spokesman said: "Anyone, anywhere can contract meningitis."

"Our best protection against this devastating disease is to make ourselves aware of the signs and symptoms, since speedy diagnosis and treatment gives us the best protection currently available against it.

"Our visit to Bolton is purely coincidental but we are more than happy to speak to anyone who has any particular concerns, bearing in mind the very sad death of this young boy."

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