Ethan Firman was just 18 months old when he was struck down by the deadliest form of the disease which causes meningococcal septicaemia, a type of blood poisoning.

But just months after Andrew and Clare Firman lost Ethan they have a beautiful new baby daughter to care for.
Emily Grace Firman was born on August 6 and weighed in at a healthy 7lb 12 oz.

Clare admits the last few weeks have been an "emotional rollercoaster" but she is now able to immerse herself in motherhood again.

Ethan died in April little more than 24 hours of first displaying any kind of symptoms. By the time doctors had diagnosed the illness there was nothing they could do.

Dad Andrew was in London and despite an emergency journey north, Ethan had already passed away at Whiston Hospital when he arrived.

The couple, who live in Orrell Road, Orrell, and run a Subway sandwich bar franchise in Haydock, have since become heavily involved in raising money for meningitis charities.

But now they have a new responsibility – looking after Emily.
Clare said: "She is beautiful and I have to say she does look a bit like Ethan in some of her expressions. But she is also a little person in her own right.

"If Ethan had been born a girl he would have been called Emily Grace so when we had a girl this time it was the first choice.
"It is strange. We are starting all over again. We are trying to get Emily into a routine and I am quite relaxed because I have done it all before.

"It has been an emotional rollercoaster these last few months. The last few weeks before Emily was born were particularly difficult because I could not work and it was hard filling my time. It is awful when you are thinking about filling the gap.

"But now she is here it is wonderful. She is healthy and well and putting on weight."