The happy seven-year-old is all smiles now, but when he was just three Leo was diagnosed with meningitis.

Speaking exclusively about the ordeal for the first time to raise awareness, mum Johanne, 37, from Gillibrand North, Chorley, said the speed of her son's illness was one of the scariest parts.

She said: "The day in question started normally and when I got Leo up he was completely fine.

"By dinner time he was a bit weepy but I just thought he was tired. I dropped him round to my mother's in the afternoon, but a while later I received a phone call from my mum who said Leo was really sick and to get back as soon as possible.

"By the time I got there, Leo was extremely ill. My mum tried to give him Calpol but he wouldn't take it. I thought he had really bad flu.

"My husband Mark and I took Leo back home and he got worse. I went upstairs when my husband shouted 'you better come down quickly'. I ran down and Leo was looking weak and limp. I decided to change Leo into his pyjamas and it was then that I saw the rash.

"As soon as I saw that I knew it was meningitis. I still did the tumbler test to check, but I knew straight away that's what it was."

The devastated parents rushed little Leo to hospital, where he was diagnosed with the deadliest strain meningitis B and septicaemia.

Johanne, a support worker, said: "The doctors held a briefing with us and we were told to prepare for the worst."

However against all odds, Leo fought back and after only a couple of days his parents were allowed to take him home.

Johanne said: "It took us a good 12 months before Leo was back to his old self – he lost part of his hearing and part of his speech.

"Meningitis has terrible side effects - Leo could have lost limbs. He is a miracle."

Johanne has chosen to speak out about the 2004 ordeal to promote awareness of the disease during Meningitis Awareness Week, which runs from September 15-21.

The mum, who also has a nine-year-old daughter called Daryl, praised the work of the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Johanne now wants other parents to understand the dangers of this killer disease - and says speed and vaccination are key to survival.

She said: "I am absolutely convinced that Leo managed to pull through because he had the full immunisation vaccine.

"I would say to any parent about vaccination – 'don't even hesistate. Speed is of the essence'."

It's estimated there are 3,300 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK and it kills more children in this country than any other infectious disease.

For a free information pack, call Meningitis Research Foundation's freephone helpline 080 8800 3344 or log on to www.meningitis.org.