Nursery's tribute to tragic Hector, three

Hector Kirkham, three, of Lancaster, died from meningococcal septicaemia on March 27. Hector had been a pupil at Little Learners Nursery and Preschool in Galgate, but he did not contract the illness there.

Anne-Marie Webster of Little Learners said: "I and all of the team at Little Learners (Galgate) Nursery & Preschool wish to express our sincere condolences to the family affected following the sad death of a child from Meningococcal disease group B. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most tragic of times.

"We are all deeply saddened by his passing and we will all miss him.

"Whilst the child affected attended Little Learners, he last attended the Nursery on Thursday March 22. We understand that after that date he attended a social event with another child who developed Meningococcal disease group B, but who has since happily recovered.

"We take the health and wellbeing of all who attend the nursery extremely seriously and we are confident that the correct measures are in place to ensure this.

"Nevertheless as soon as we were notified of the Meningococcal disease group B diagnosis we have immediately sought to safeguard and protect all of the children, parents and staff who attend and work at the Nursery.

"We immediately notified Public Health England and have worked closely with them to ensure that all children and staff have received antibiotics and have arranged vaccinations. We have delivered key health messages to all those who attended the Nursery. We have notified Ofsted and continue to work with them closely."