The charity backing a bid by a woman who lost both her legs to meningitis to take part in the New York Marathon has withdrawn her entry.

The Meningitis Trust says it is worried about the safety and welfare of 21-year-old Clare Forbes.

But Clare remains determined to tackle the 26-mile route in November. She has raised more than £2,500 in sponsorship but it is the charity which pays for and confirms entry.

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

She is dedicating her time to raise £1 million for the Meningitis Trust, the Douglas Bader Foundation and the Limbless Association.

Clare, from Broadfield, Crawley, 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 bug MRSA and "died" twice on the way to a hospital in London.

Her stepfather and marathon partner Eiffie Verboot said: "We are very disappointed by the charity. It says it has done this because of concerns about Clare's safety because of the length of time it will take her to finish and some of the areas of New York she will be walking in. She did a wonderful job at the London marathon and there is no reason why she can't do the same in New York.

"We have already raised a lot of sponsorship and she is determined to go. As far as she is concerned, nobody is going to stop her."

The family have been in contact with other charities with supporters taking part in the race and have written to the New York Chief of Police, the city's mayor and even US President George Bush, asking for help.

A spokeswoman for the Meningitis Trust said: "Clare is an extraordinary young woman who came back from the brink of death after contracting meningococcal septicaemia in 2001 to finish the London Marathon in 2005.

"We have supported Clare and her family since her illness and will continue to do so. Our decision is based entirely on our concerns for Clare's safety, health and welfare and not putting her at risk."