A MOTHER whose son died in her arms when he was struck down with meningitis has taken her fight against the disease to a Hampshire town.

Karen Painter from Locks Heath joined campaigners from Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK at Asda in Totton where she told other mums to watch out for the symptoms of the deadly disease.

Four-year-old Craig Painter died 12 years ago of a rare form of bacterial meningitis.

Karen, of Primrose Way, now shares her experience with other mums.

Recalling the events that led to her son's death, she said: "Craig woke in the early hours and had vomited, I wasn't too worried and he went back to sleep.

"That day he wasn't very well. But it was nothing to worry about because as far as we were concerned he was no different to other times he had been unwell.

"He seemed to brighten up a little and went to bed. We assumed that when he woke up he'd be fine. But at 10pm we went to check on him and my husband didn't like the look of the colour of him."

"We called a doctor who said that Craig was dehydrated and told us to take him to hospital. We took him upstairs with us while we got ready to go and when we picked him up we realised something was seriously wrong. He just groaned and couldn't stand up.

"I held him during the car journey and his breathing became very rapid.

"I now know that this is one of the symptoms, but I didn't know at the time. Just as we got to the hospital he stopped breathing."

She added: "As a parent who has lost a child to meningitis I would do anything to save others from going through it. It's such a dreadful disease."

Nicola Fisher at Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK said: "It is vital that everyone stays vigilant. When meningitis strikes, often with little or no warning, it can devastate whole communities.

"Knowing the symptoms can mean the difference between life and death."

Symptoms cards and leaflets will be available at the Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK awareness trailer outside Totton's Asda store until Thursday, May 6.