RELIEVED mother Andrea Carr cradled her baby son after he cheated death from meningitis - four years after the disease killed his brother.

Five-month-old Kenneth Carr was rushed to hospital with meningitis and his family feared the worst after losing eight-week-old David to the illness four years ago.

Now Kenneth is recovering after a two-week fight for life in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).

But yesterday the family were celebrating Kenneth's recovery at the family home in Fawdon, Newcastle.

Ms Carr, 22, said: "I am so pleased I spotted the signs from the last time. He could have died within 48 hours.

"It is wonderful to have him home, losing David was the worst thing that has ever happened to me.

"To have lost Kenneth in the same way would have been completely unbearable."

Ms Carr become concerned about her son's health and called out an emergency doctor, who prescribed antibiotics.

When Kenneth's condition continued to deteriorate, Ms Carr recognised the symptoms and took him to the RVI, where he was immediately diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.