THE family of a 12-year-old boy who died of meningitis a year ago this month are holding a charity night in his memory.

Westhoughton High School pupil Mark Booth died last January less than 24 hours after contracting meningococcal septicaemia.

His parents, Susan and John Booth, of The Crescent, Westhoughton, sisters Nicola McLennan and Emily Booth and his brother, Colin Booth, have told how the last year has been "terrible".

But the family are determined that Mark's memory will live on. They have already raised thousands of pounds for the Meningitis Trust, which aims to make people more aware of the symptoms of the disease which proves deadly in 20 per cent of cases.

Staff and pupils at Mark's school have also joined in with various fund-raising events.

Mr and Mrs Booth have donated a trophy to Westhoughton High School which is awarded annually to the brightest IT pupil, as a tribute to Mark's enthusiasm for computers.

The latest charity night will be held at Westhoughton Reform Club, Park Road, Westhoughton on Friday, March 5.

There will be an auction, raffles, bingo and a disco from 7.30pm. All money raised will go to the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Today, Mrs Booth appealed to everyone to help raise money for a good cause.

She said: "It has been hard for the whole family but we are focusing on raising money to help research into the disease in the hope that other families will not have to go through what we have had to.

"We want to make it a really big and successful night so I would invite anyone who wants to support a very good cause to come along. Local businesses have donated prizes and we are very grateful."

Tickets cost £5. Contact Nicola McLennan on 01942 511 913.