A woman who lost both her legs to meningitis has won her battle to take part in the New York Marathon.

The Meningitis Trust withdrew Clare Forbes' entry to the marathon because it said it was worried about her health and safety.

The move angered Clare, 21, and her family. She said the decision was hers to make and she was determined to go ahead.

Clare and her stepfather Eiffie Verboot were contacted by Farnham-based company 2..09 Events, which coordinates entries to the marathon, and it has given them tickets to take part.

Mr Verboot said: "When people heard about the Meningitis Trust's decision there were a lot of emails flying about.

"Then 2..09 said it had spoken to organisers in New York and checked things out and they said it would be fine to take part.

"They are looking forward to meeting us.

"We are very angry the Meningitis Trust took it upon itself to make a decision for Clare when we as a family were more than capable of doing that ourselves.

"We are hoping to raise a lot of money by taking part in the marathon and in the future Clare still intends to raise £1 million for charity.

"However, the money will now be going to the Douglas Bader Foundation and the Limbless Association and not the Meningitis Trust."

Clare, from Broadfield, Crawley, hit the headlines earlier this year when she took part in the London Marathon, finishing in 19 hours and ten minutes.

She had both her legs amputated below the knee when she contracted meningitis in 2001.

She fell into a coma and did not wake up for six months.

She also contracted the hospital superbug MRSA and "died" twice on the way to a hospital in London.

In a statement earlier this week, the Meningitis Trust said it had not taken the decision lightly and would continue to support Clare and her family.