A two-year-old boy has died and a young girl is seriously ill in hospital after the pair contracted meningitis.

Children and staff at the Little People of Colne nursery in Colne, Lancashire, were being offered antibiotics following the two cases of meningococcal septicaemia.

A spokeswoman for East Lancashire Health Authority said the cases were confirmed on Monday after the boy died.

The girl, also aged two, is in a poorly condition in hospital.

Early stages

Dr Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control for East Lancashire Health Authority, said: "The risk of any further cases occurring in children attending the nursery is extremely small.

"However as a precaution we are offering all staff and children at the nursery preventative antibiotics."

In its very early stages, the meningococcal infection cannot be distinguished from flu.

Within hours the patient can become seriously ill.

Symptoms include rash, drowsiness, fever, vomiting, rapid breathing, severe headache and dislike of bright lights.