FAMILY and friends of a popular college student are being offered vaccinations against meningitis after his death.

Daniel Fisher, 18, of Coppertree Walk, Lordswood, Chatham, had just started a PE course at Mid Kent College when he contracted suspected meningitis C.

He was admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital after complaining of a migraine but his condition quickly deteriorated and he died.

Daniel's father, Steve, said: "I just want to thank the staff in intensive care. They were extremely caring, not just to Daniel but to the family. They were very supportive there. All of us were there and so were his friends. Daniel's friends held his hand as he died and he was able to go with great dignity."

Daniel, a keen Arsenal supporter, went to Greenacre School in Chatham, leaving with 11 GCSEs, two A levels and four AS levels.

When he died, he had just started a PE course at the Horsted, Chatham, base of Mid Kent College.

The Sunday before he died, Daniel was playing for Chatham football team Bridgewood against Chatham Riverside reserves, scoring four goals. The day before, he had scored four more goals during his debut for Becker UK, another Chatham team.

Mid Kent College marketing manager Roy Robertson said all students were being offered vaccinations against meningitis C at all three college sites. He said letters and leaflets had been distributed to all students and staff and classes were carrying on as normal.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, clinical director of the Kent and Medway infection and health protection unit, said: "The sad death of this young man is an isolated case. It's not unusual for individual cases of meningitis to occur throughout the year. The bacteria responsible for meningitis is carried by 10 to 15 per cent of people, usually with no ill-effects."