Just weeks after Patrick Bunker was critically ill with meningococcal meningitis, the nine-year-old running champ has amazed family and friends by returning to the cross country circuit.

Patrick, a Welsh cross country champion, was so seriously ill that doctors at Withybush Hospital warned his parents he might not pull through.

Amazingly, he is now not only back running but competing for Pembroke Swimming Club, where his father, Francis, is chief coach.

Meningitis is every parent's worst nightmare but diagnosis can be difficult. Patrick was initially sent home from hospital after doctors dismissed his illness as a virus.

He developed all the classic symptoms but not all at once. He first had a high temperature and a stiff neck followed by vomiting. A rash then appeared.

The rash was extensive but not classic as most of it blanched under pressure rather than remaining coloured.

The final symptom he developed was an aversion to light.

It was probably his mum and dad's decisive action that saved his life.

"The day after he had been discharged from hospital he gradually became weaker.

"When I read him a bedtime story he couldn't look at the pictures because the light was hurting his eyes,'' said Francis, of Estuary Cottage, Bentlass.

"That did it for me. I logged onto the Meningitis Trust website and could see he had virtually every symptom. The advice it gave was that if you suspect a child has meningitis you should not hesitate.''

Patrick was taken to hospital by ambulance and within 30 minutes he was hooked up to an antibiotics drip in a critical care room.

The next 12 hours were critical and the whole family, including Patrick's 11-year-old brother, Brendan, spent the night at the hospital. He fought the illness and was discharged from hospital eight days later.

Francis and Anne agreed to talk about the family's ordeal to raise awareness of meningitis.

"What it has taught us is that as a parent you know your children better than any doctor, you know when it's just another cough or cold or if there really is something very wrong. My message to other parents is be informed, trust your instinct and don't delay.''

"The support of their family and friends has been crucial. "You do feel very isolated,'' Francis admitted.

He knows how lucky Patrick was. "I have been told of people who have lost their hearing, or their eyesight or even limbs.''

Although his muscles and joints will take time to recover, Patrick still crossed the finishing line in the top 30 when he represented Orielton CP School at the recent Urdd cross country championships at Aberystwyth.

National Public Health Service statistics for Pembrokeshire show just a single case of meningococcal meningitis this year. There were none in the previous two years, while in 2002 there were two recorded cases.

But these figures can be misleading. A patient can exhibit symptoms and action will be taken in health protection terms. If the patient recovers within a short time and is discharged from hospital it is unlikely that their illness will be recorded as meningococcal meningitis.