A young couple have told of their heartache following the death of their five-month-old baby from meningitis.

Ethan Robinson died suddenly in Airedale Hospital after contracting meningococcal septicaemia.

This week his grieving parents Martin Robinson and Gemma McLaughlin, from Oakworth Road, Keighley, described him as a happy child in spite of suffering a number of complications since birth.

Ethan died last week and Gemma, 23, has also penned an emotional farewell poem to her son, which is published below.

She said: "When we put Ethan to bed on Tuesday night he was fine, but it crept up overnight and on Wednesday morning he was unconscious and had purple blotches on his skin. He displayed some similar symptoms to meningitis from day one because of other complications, but that particular night we thought it was like any other night.

"Ethan was born two months premature and spent three months in the special care baby unit at Airedale Hospital. He had a lot of breathing problems and had to be revived on a couple of occasions when he stopped breathing."

Martin, 19, said: "We have got plenty of happy memories and we had plenty of good times with Ethan, even though we didn't have long with him.

"He was a very happy child who was always cooing and I used to make him laugh by playing peek-a-boo with him on the corner of the sofa.

"His brother Kayleb, six, and sister Amber, 14-months, are missing him a lot as well.

"We've had lots of support from friends and family, and staff on the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale did a lot for him."

The young couple are calling for more information about meningitis to be made more readily available.

"There needs to be more information about all the different types of meningitis so that parents can be aware of the symptoms," said Gemma. "If it can take hold of Ethan so quickly it can take hold of any child."

The funeral will take place in Keighley next week. The family has also opened up a collection for the the Special Care Baby Unit through The Knowle funeral directors.

l Meningitis is an inflamation of the lining surrounding the brain and is contracted in viral or bacterial form.

The symptoms in children and adults are: high temperature and fever, possibly with cold hands and feet, vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness, joint pain and fits.

A red rash of tiny blood spots may also be visible, which doesn't fade under pressure from a glass.

The symptoms in babies can also include: refusing feeds, a high-pitched moaning and whimpering, a blank and staring expression, pale and blotchy complexion, a dislike of being handled and fretful, the fontanelle (soft spot on a babies head) is tense and bulging, neck retraction with arching of back, difficult to wake and lethargic .

Health experts say that if any of the symptoms are present, parents should contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 immediately.

Anyone requiring more information can contact the Meningitis Trust on 08456000800 or log on to its web site: www.meningitis-trust.org.uk

From Me to You:

You are our little sunshine and you lit up our life,

but as we lay you down to rest, no more pain and no more strife.

You gave us tears and you gave us joy,

you'll always be 'Our Little Boy'.

There's a place in our hearts, and forever you shall be,

let God be with you and your spirit be free.

We can never say what you mean to us,

Because words will never be enough.

You brought us so much happiness, even though -

Your life was short, but tough.

We'll always be grateful for having a wonderful son like you,

But no matter how many words we say, they will always end with:

I love you.