SCHOOLGIRL Amy Long has made an amazing recovery after contracting a form of potentially fatal meningitis.

Just over a month ago, ten-year-old Amy was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, and her family feared for her life. Early treatment with life-saving drugs helped the Brynmawr girl pull through.

Now Amy is well enough to return to lessons at Blaen-y-Cwm Junior School in the town.

Her mother, Dorne Long, said Amy became ill on a Saturday morning in January, when she complained that her jaw hurt.

She returned early from a violin lesson in Nantyglo because she was feeling unwell and later developed a temperature and began vomiting.

Although Amy had typical flu symptoms, Mrs Long quickly became concerned about her daughter.

"I think you know your own child and I knew that something wasn't right," she said.

Mrs Long and her husband, Andrew, of Fitzroy Street, took Amy to Aberbeeg Hospital that evening.

Doctors sent her to Nevill Hall Hospital, in Abergavenny, where she was immediately given high doses of antibiotics.

The youngster was taken into the intensive care unit and was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia.

"I was absolutely frantic - I didn't know what day it was," said Mrs Long, whose nine-year-old son, David, was also desperately worried about his sister.

"But the doctors were wonderful and answered all our questions."

Amy was finally allowed home on the following Friday evening and has spent time recovering there before being allowed back to school last week.

"She has lost a lot of weight - she was only little before and weighed three and a half stone, now she is down to three stone," said Mrs Long, who thanked the community and Amy's friends for rallying round.

"But she is eating well and we are delighted that she is so much better."

And Amy, who is keen on drama, netball and her after-school French lessons, is now eager to resume all her usual activities.

* In the picture: Amy Long with mum Dorne.