'Abba' girl defies killer disease

Layla's recovery even surprised doctors

A woman has told how her extremely ill daughter began singing Abba hit Mamma Mia after spending five days in a critical condition in hospital.

The family of Layla Towsey, three, of Gidea Park, on the east London-Essex border, thought she was going to die after doctors diagnosed meningitis B.

Her mother Katy, 23, explained that she realised her daughter had regained consciousness when she began to sing.

Layla has made a good recovery, although she suffered some scarring.

Last month, Ms Towsey took her daughter to Queen's Hospital in Romford after noticing a rash on her leg.

Before they put her in the ambulance we were told to give her a kiss goodbye - it was an awful moment Kate Towsey

"I took her to Queen's where the doctor said it was probably a heat rash and not to worry," she said.

"But I told them I wanted to see a paediatrician.

"Layla was just so delirious. She was saying weird things and I knew something was wrong."

Layla suffered a heart attack and was transferred to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, where she was put on a life support machine.

Ms Towsey, who is supporting Meningitis UK and its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, said: "Before they put her in the ambulance we were told to give her a kiss goodbye - it was an awful moment."

Layla was also diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia and the family prepared themselves for the worst as she lay in intensive care.

Ms Towsey said: "But on the Sunday morning I could hear her singing Mamma Mia quietly. I couldn't believe it.

"I knew immediately she was going to be OK."