A family friend of a little girl who had her legs amputated after contracting meningitis is to take part in the Flora London marathon to raise vital funds to fight the deadly disease.

John Burland, of Otley, is appealing for sponsors to help collect as much as possible for The Meningitis Trust.

The 50-year-old is raising money after Danielle Skilbeck, the four-year-old granddaughter of his friends Gordon and Elaine Pollard, battled the disease in the summer.

Mr Burland, who is health and safety manager at Princes Soft Drinks Ltd in Toftshaw Lane, Bradford, said: "It has brought it home to people in the Otley area how tragic this disease can be.

"Danielle regrettably had to have both her legs and most of her fingers amputated as a result of this disease."

Mr Burland's son Chris, 19, will join him and they are part of a team of more than 150 running for the charity on Sunday, April 13.

The race will not be Mr Burland's first marathon - he has already completed six, including the London marathon twice.

However, he is not being complacent and has already started training hard.

"Chris will be looking at finishing in three and a half to four hours and if I finish under five I will be happy," he said.

Danielle's mum, Lindsay Pollard, 20, said she was delighted Mr Burland was raising money for research into meningitis. "Meningitis is something that can affect anyone at anytime and every effort to raise awareness of the disease and money for research is welcome," she said.

A spokesman for The Meningitis Trust, said: "So far dozens of people - from teenagers to runners in their 50s like John -- have pledged to run the famous 26-mile race for the Meningitis Trust on Sunday, April 13."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr Burland can make a donation via the HSBC Bank, Otley, sort code 40-35-33, account number 61399772.

If anyone would like to arrange a fundraising event for the Trust, he can be contacted on 07966 263998.