The parents of Maidstone toddler Faye Burdett are to give evidence to a government committee today on the need for changes to its meningitis B vaccination policy.

Faye, from Shepway, tragically died after contracting the deadly infection.

She passed away on Valentine's Day after a fight against the disease lasting 12 days.

Following her death, a petition calling for a change in the immunisation programme became the most signed in parliamentary history. It now has more than 823,000 signatures.

Currently, the jab is only given to those born after July 2015 but supporters want all children under the age of 11 to be vaccinated.

In response to the campaign, the government has said it is not cost-effective to extend the immunisation programme.

The Department of Health said it was a not a good use of NHS resources.

Before the petition is debated in the House of Commons, a committee of MPs will hear from Faye's parents Jenny and Neil as part of an evidence gathering session.

Two meetings are planned for the panel to hear from experts and families with experiences of meningitis B - today and on March 22.

The Burdetts will be joined by the creator of the petition, Lee Booth, and rugby legend Matt Dawson, whose son recently survived meningitis.

Also due to be called are representatives from Meningitis Now, the Meningitis Research Foundation and professor Andrew Pollard, chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation which advised government policy on its existing jab policy.