A NORTH-EAST teenager who was taken to hospital with suspected meningitis has died, it has been confirmed.

Michael Lloyd was one of two 15-year-old boys from Emmanuel College in Gateshead who took ill over the weekend with what is believed to be the meningococcal strain of the killer bug.

The condition of the other boy is said to be improving slowly.

Emmanuel College today confirmed the boy who died was year ten pupil Michael Lloyd.

Principal Jonathan Winch said: “Everyone in college is devastated by the sudden loss of such a young and promising life.

“Michael’s family and close friends are at the forefront of all our thoughts. We are praying for them and will do everything we can to support them through this terrible time.”

After the boys took ill, parents of all students in Year 10 were contacted, informing them that their children were being offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, of the Health Protection Agency, said: "Meningococcal bacteria do not spread easily.

"Only people who have had prolonged, close contact with the students are at slightly increased risk of becoming unwell.

"The germ which causes the illness lives naturally in the back of the nose and throat and many people carry it without ever becoming unwell.

"However, it can cause meningitis or septicaemia - blood poisoning - in some people."