A BEREAVED Keighley mum whose young daughter died from a form of meningitis is backing calls for students to be vaccinated against the illness.

Andrea Walker, a Keighley town councillor, said it was vital that young people got the vaccination to protect themselves from the deadly disease.

She spoke out after regional health chiefs reported a surge in cases of the MenW bug, one of the deadliest strains of meningitis.

Instances have soared from 22 in 2009 to nearly 200 in the past 12 months.

Public Health England has advised anyone aged up to 25 who is starting university this month to get a vaccination from their GP.

Students are particularly at risk of contracting the disease because they are mixing with so many others, some of whom may be unwittingly carrying the bacteria.

"I fully support the message from Public Health England," said Cllr Walker, of Riddlesden, whose daughter Ellie died in January, 2013.

"It is essential that students heed the advice and get the vaccination.

"I have been through hell since losing Ellie and I don't want other parents and families to suffer in the same way."

Ellie, who was just three, died after being put to bed with a suspected cold.

Cllr Walker found her daughter blue and cold with a rash on her chest, so tried CPR.

But her desperate efforts were in vain.

It was later established that Ellie died from streptococcal septicaemia blood poisoning.

Cllr Walker has campaigned since then to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia.

Dr Kevin Smith, regional spokesman for Public Health England, said: "Protecting young people from this potentially deadly disease is vitally important.

"The vaccination will save lives and prevent lifelong devastating disability.

"Young people and those around them should be alert to the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia."

Early symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, fever, cold hands and feet, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights and a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it.

But some symptoms may not appear.

People are advised to get medical advice as soon as possible if they're concerned that they or their child could have the disease.

More details can be found at meningitisnow.org or nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx.