MENINGITIS UK is offering families nationwide a free lifesaving fridge magnet to help prevent deaths from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia this winter.

The unique 'Know the Symptoms' magnet highlights the common symptoms of the diseases and explains how to carry out the 'Tumbler Test'. It also emphasises the need to act quickly with the warning state-ment 'Meningitis can kill in under four hours' and urges families to seek medical help immediately if they suspect something is wrong.

The charity warns that at this time of the year the number of cases of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia rise dramatically, peaking in February.

Based on figures from previous years, about 250 people in England and Wales are likely to get the disease in the first four weeks of January alone.

Medical advisor to Meningitis UK, Dr Alistair Thomson, consultant paediatrician at Leighton Hospital in Cheshire said: 'Meningococcal disease is rare but devastating and so deserves attention. Raising awareness will help parents and doctors to diagnose meningococcal disease early enough for treatment to be effective.'

Meningitis UK's focus is to support research to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis.

ALTHOUGH successful vaccines exist to protect against some forms of the disease, there is still no vaccine available to protect against all strains, including the most common form in the UK - meningococcal group B - which causes both meningitis and septicaemia and accounts for almost 90% of all cases.

Chief executive of Meningitis UK, Steve Dayman, who lost his son Spencer to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia, says: 'Meningitis is a terrifying condition which can kill in hours and sadly we have families who support the charity who can confirm this.

'When minutes count, having the symptoms displayed in an easily accessible place like a fridge can save valuable time and give people the confidence to seek medical help quickly.'

For a free 'Know the Symptoms' fridge magnet or to support Meningitis UK's search for a vaccine, phone Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373.