Campaigner Sir Leslie Loader is to step up his fight for meningitis diagnosis devices to be provided at all major hospitals, following the death of 22-month-old Jacob Fogg, grandson of former Marlborough mayor Nick Fogg.

He said he was appalled Jacob had been sent home by doctors at Whittington Hospital, north London, after they had failed to diagnose meningitis, and told his parents he had flu.

"It is such a tragedy that someone so young should die in these circumstances," said Sir Leslie.

Earlier this year, he helped the Gazette launch the 30 Minutes Not Two Days appeal which raised £6,000. This was enough to buy three immunosonic devices, which speed up the diagnosis of meningitis, for hospitals at Swindon, Bath and Salisbury.

Sir Leslie said: "In the light of what has happened I shall continue to campaign to get these devices in more hospitals. If Wiltshire can raise the money, I am sure other areas can, but I think there needs to be a greater awareness of how vital these devices can be."

Devizes MP Michael Ancram, whose constituency covers Marlborough, said he would be meeting Mr Fogg this weekend to discuss questions to be put to the Secretary of State. "It would be a terrible tragedy if lessons which could be learnt, were not learnt after what has happened," he said.