TWO school friends who were left fighting for their lives after contracting meningitis are celebrating the Christmas their families thought they might never see.

Bubbly youngsters Michael Turner, five, and David Merry, six, of Abbey Village Primary School, are now on the road to a full recovery just four weeks after being struck down with different strains of the deadly brain bug.

David, of Bolton Road, Abbey Village, was on a ventilator in intensive care for more than a week after being rushed to hospital when his mum discovered the tell-tale red spots on his body.

The six-year-old was found to be suffering from the most deadly form of the virus -- meningitis B -- and doctors at Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester, told his parents if he had been left half an hour longer he would have died.

David was taken ill a day before his sixth birthday and his family were forced to postpone the celebrations until he came home 10 days later.

Michael, of Bury Lane, Withnell, sits next to David at school and was taken to hospital with the C strain of the virus the day before his pal, after waking up complaining of a headache and a rash.

Doctors said it was only the quick thinking action of his mum, Katherine, 23, in taking him to Withnell Health Centre that saved his life. He spent six days in the Royal Preston Hospital.

Now the boys' families have said they are looking forward to a Christmas they never thought they'd see.

David's mum Susan, 35, said they would be making this year a family affair with his grandma, Jean, who is travelling down from Blackpool. She said: "I can't believe it was only a month ago that he was so poorly in hospital. I keep saying to myself 'did it really happen?'

"He's got a lot of energy back this week so we say he's packed with 'Duracell' now.

"I find it's last thing at night when I start thinking about everything that's happened but I'm trying to move on because it's only when you start dwelling on it that you think 'what if'.

Katherine, who will be spending Christmas at her mum's, said she was doing her best to make it a day to remember: "I want it to be an extra special Christmas this year. I'm trying to spoil him and keep buying him lots of presents.

"I'm still a bit over protective of him at the moment though. I kept him off school this week because he came down with a bit of a cold and straight away I was making sure he was next to me at night so I could hear him."

Michael has returned to school but still needs regular check-ups. Tests last week showed his hearing had not been affected.

David, who started back at school on a part-time basis last week and joined his friends for a Christmas party on Wednesday, said: "The Christmas party was really good fun. It's good to be back at school. I'm getting a bike for Christmas and I'd like Pokemon as well."