MENINGITIS Research Foundation aims to save lives in the south this winter with a 30-second radio information commercial, launched this week.

The Christmas-time campaign, fronted by foundation patron Dr Hilary Jones, focuses on the speed with which meningitis and septicaemia, the blood poisoning form of the disease, can take hold. The foundation hopes to alert people to the symptoms of the disease and, as a result, save lives.

For a free mini-pack of details of symptoms, phone 080 8800 3344 or visit www.meningitis.org