Samuel Sherwood, six, is recovering at his home this week after a bout of fitting led to his being airlifted to hospital.

Samuel, from Witchcombe Close, Great Cheverell, near Devizes, suffered brain damage from pneumococcal meningitis when he was six months old.

One of the side effects of that is that, whenever he develops a temperature, he starts having seizures.

His mother Rachel said: "These can be very dangerous. Sam was fine on Monday morning then suddenly his temperature went very high and he started fitting.

"This can be a very serious thing, even life threatening, so we immediately called for an ambulance.

"They were here in a few minutes and flew Samuel to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. That's where all his medical records are, so they would have known exactly what to do."

The paramedic gave Samuel anti-seizure drugs before the flight and, once in hospital, Samuel improved and he was allowed home last Tuesday.

It is in stark contrast to several years ago when the family was living in Hilcot, near Pewsey, when Samuel fell ill with meningitis.

Instead of being airlifted to hospital, he was taken by road ambulance which took at least half an hour to arrive and then 40 minutes along bumpy roads to get him to hospital.

"They didn't administer anti-seizure drugs until he got to hospital, which I think resulted in the brain damage," said Mrs Sherwood.

Samuel was later transferred to Bristol Sick Children's Hospital, again by road ambulance.

Mrs Sherwood said: "I did not even know the air ambulance existed until this latest episode. I am so grateful for it.

"It could have meant Samuel's life. I can't believe they are thinking of getting rid of it. "