A YOUNGSTER who is suffering from a deadly infection was still fighting for his life in hospital last night.

Two-year-old Kieran Annal, of South Bank, Middlesbrough, is in Newcastle General Hospital and has been left brain damaged after developing toxic shock syndrome. He has also had to have a foot, toes and fingers amputated, has been left blind after developing the condition. He may need a kidney transplant.

He developed it while in hospital receiving treatment for a broken leg after a collision with a car in Guisborough on August 5.

Doctors have told the toddler's father, Simon Annal, they would be reluctant to carry out a transplant if Kieran was unable to have any quality of life, and although he admits it would be a miracle if his son survived, he is hoping he will continue fighting.

Mr Annal, 24, said: "He has been back from the brink three or four times and he will just not give up. He has jumped that many hurdles and he is still here. He is a little fighter.

"We have been told it may just be a question of time now, but he has come this far and I am praying he will go that step further."