A MAN left fighting for his life after his brother died of meningitis spoke of his anguish today and said: "I wish it had taken me, not him."

Naweed Anwar, 23, has just been released from hospital after a week-long battle with a suspected case of the deadly disease.

His brother Danial, six, a pupil at Shadsworth Infants School, died last Monday of meningococcal meningitis.

But today the University of Central Lancashire undergraduate, who has been deaf and dumb since birth and communicates through his family, said: "Danial was the perfect one and should still be alive."

The brothers were inseparable and lived in the same bedroom of a terraced property in Delph Approach, Shadsworth, Blackburn.

But Naweed had to miss his brother's funeral at Pleasington last Tuesday as he fought for health in Queen's Park Hospital.

And now he can not bear to go back into their room and only has toys, bought by Danial on his last shopping trip in Blackburn the day before he died, as keepsakes.

He said: "It has been horrible. He did not deserve to die. He was just a little boy.

"He would have loved to be out in the snow playing with us all today."

Danial died in hospital after being admitted by his GP.

Naweed's sister Almas Asif, 24, suspected something might be wrong with Naweed when she heard the tragic news about her youngest brother.

She said: "Naweed had set off to college as normal on Monday, saying goodbye to Danial as usual, but came home feeling feverish and sick.

"He was at home preparing some videos for him and his brother to watch when we heard the news.

"He just refused to believe me it was such a shock for us all. It has really broken him inside.

"Naweed is devastated to have missed the funeral. It was heart breaking for him, they were so close.

"We have not even had chance to do the funeral as we would have liked."

Danial and Naweed's parents Shamim and Mohammed Anwar are being comforted by the family. Shamim said: "Danial wanted to be like his brother and go on to university. He was so happy and bright."

The family were all given a course of antibiotics as a precaution but parents at the school were told by health experts there was only a "small risk" of the disease spreading.

There is currently no vaccination for the deadly strain, Type B, which is believed to have killed Danial.

Naweed is currently studying for an honours degree in art following a BTEC in Art at Blackburn College.

The family are preparing a box of treasured items to remember Danial. They will include his favourite songs, Bob the Builder and Andy Pandy, along with new Spiderman shoes he bought 24 hours before he tragically died.

They will also be holding a private family gathering 40 days after his death.

Cards have been pouring in from friends at the school where they are due to attend a special assembly on Friday.

Barbara Booth, headteacher at Shadsworth, said: "We will be holding a special assembly at the school on Friday involving Danial's family.

"The children will be singing special songs and readings to celebrate Danial's life.

"It has been very sad for everyone of Danial's friends and we can't even begin to think how the family has felt."