A 37-YEAR-old divorced father of two from Farnworth has died from meningitis.

Fred Palmer, lived alone in Harrowby Street, Farnworth. He was taken to Bolton Royal Infirmary yesterday morning but died early last night from the meningococcal septicaemia strain of the killer disease.

Mr Palmer was rushed to hospital after a relative called at his home and became alarmed at his state of health.

"Unfortunately despite the heroic efforts of the hospital staff he died in the intensive care department of Bolton General after being admitted to casualty in the morning," said Dr Robert Aston, Bolton's Consultant in Communicable Disease Control. Mr Palmer, a factory worker, who has two grown-up sons Brett and Craig, was today described by neighbours as a "nice, clean, hard-working young man who kept himself to himself".

All recent close contacts have been given antibiotics to protect them but Dr Aston stressed there was no immediate threat to close family.

Health officials are unable to immunise against this strain of meningitis which poisons the blood and is responsible for 80 per cent of the deaths from meningitis in the North West region.

"People should not start thinking about immunisation as there is no effective cover available against this strain-known as strain B. "We would only offer immunisation in cases where more than three people have become infected, such as at a school," added Dr Aston.

Mr Palmer's parents who live only a few doors away from their son were too upset to talk about his death today.

Mr Palmer was a process worker at Fibre Fillings of Cawdor Street, Farnworth, and today shocked colleagues were told of his death.

He had been in work on Monday and was feeling sick so they were not surprised when he did not come in on Tuesday. General Manager Peter Woodcock said: "He was feeling sick but everybody thought he just had flu. Then his parents called this morning to tell us what had happened.

"Everybody is shocked and upset. We all work as a close-knit team and Fred was an extremely valuable and hard-working member of staff."

This morning Dr Robert Aston was at the factory advising the 38 staff about signs to look out for and actions they should take.

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