THE grieving mum of a youngster who died after being struck down by meningitis last week has urged parents to make sure their own children have been vaccinated against the disease.

Mum of four, Jayne Peters, of Duke Street, St Helens, is still trying to come to terms with the sudden death of her lively six year old daughter, Shannon Jane, who, she said, hadn't displayed any of the common symptoms of the illness.

Jayne told the Star: "Shannon was staying overnight at her nan's house last Monday (Nov 6). I said goodbye and that I would see her tomorrow but the next morning I got a call from her nan's to say she wasn't well and had been taken to Alder Hey."

Jayne, who has three other children; Torron (five), Clayton (three) and three month old Cymarn, raced over to Alder Hey Children's Hospital but was devastated when, on arrival, she was told that Shannon had died of the deadly Meningitis C strain.

She added: "She must have died in her sleep. Her nan said she had complained of not feeling well so she put her to bed early but when she went to wake her the next morning, she was gone.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet but I felt that I had to speak out about a rumour that Shannon caught meningitis from the official vaccination. Apparently, parents have been contacting the health authority to ask if it is safe. But Shannon had never even had the vaccination -- she was going to have it in school the week she died so this had nothing to do with her death."

She added: "Shannon was a lovely child, always happy and smiling and she loved playing out with her friends and singing and dancing along to Britney Spears or the Spice Girls. I would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers, particularly her teachers and friends at St Mary's and St Thomas' Primary who are going to create a garden with a bench in her memory.

"The meningitis vaccination saves lives and I would urge every parent to make sure their child has it."

Dr Basil Wiratunga, a consultant in communicable diseases for St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, said: "This is a tragic time and our thoughts are with the child's family and friends at this difficult time. We would also urge all parents to ensure that their children have been vaccinated against this disease. A national programme to immunise all children and young people under the age of 18 should be completed by the end of the year offering safe and effective protection against Meningitis C. If you think your child has not been vaccinated or suspect they may have meningitis, please contact your GP.

"However, this vaccine only protects against the C strain of meningitis and is not effective against the B strain which accounts for about 60 per cent of all cases."

For further information, contact the National Meningitis Trust on 0845 600 0800 or the Meningitis Merseyside Support Group on 0151 424 4402.

Shannon's funeral is at Lowe House Church in North Road at 12pm today (Nov 16) and donations can be made to St Mary's and St Thomas' Primary towards Shannon's memorial garden.