A Leominster woman who has survived the 'killer' form of meningitis is urging others, particularly the parents of young children, to 'act on your gut instincts' to save lives.

Sarah Humphries was struck down by meningococcal meningitis on the last day of a family holiday in Devon.

The 30-year-old mum whose only early symptom was an 'agony headache,' was kept in quarantine and given intravenous antibiotics in a Plymouth hospital.

Prayers were said for her at an emergency meeting in her Leominster church, the Brook Hall-based New Life Church where Sarah is a youth group leader.

All members of her family holiday group of 14, including elderly grandparents, husband Tom and their children Rebecca, four, and Emily-May, one, were treated with antibiotics.

Sarah, of Barons Cross Road, Leominster, was in a critical condition but remained conscious. She only developed the skin rashes associated with meningitis a day after treatment began.

After seven days in hospital she left 'weak and exhausted' - so weak that she could not stand without support. But she was thankful for the gift of life. She would have died but for early diagnosis and treatment, she says.

The drama began when she woke husband Tom at 1am because of a severe headache. The deadly disease went undetected when Sarah was examined at a local medical centre. Tom insisted she must be taken to a major hospital. Meningococcal meningitis was diagnosed.

"It is a 100 per cent killer unless caught early," Sarah told the Hereford Times

"I would say to people, particularly parents, go on your gut feeling. Go straight to casualty if you are worried about your child."

Ironically, Sarah describes her ordeal as "one of the most incredible experiences of my life."

With congregations praying for her in Leominster and at a Sheffield link-church and friends travelling long distances to visit her in hospital "it was impossible to feel more love."

Sarah and her children last week took part in a sponsored 'toddle waddle' of parents and toddlers from 'Noah's Ark', at the Brook Hall. The group expects to raise up to £800 for Meningitis Trust research funds.