Meningitis Trust will make its services mobile by launching the first iPhone application designed to aid diagnosis of the disease.

The application, set for release in the coming weeks, will allow iPhone users easy access to information on the disease’s signs and symptoms. 

Sue Davie, chief executive of the Meningitis Trust, said: "We know the world is changing and so are we. With millions of iPhone users throughout the UK, we want to reach even more people and this is why I am delighted to announce today that we are developing the world’s first meningitis app for the iPhone."

Since its formation in 1986, the Trust has distributed over 20 million credit card-sized signs and symptoms cards. The iPhone application is an extension of this service providing a full guide to the disease and information on symptoms and signs. 

"We are in the final stages of development and our app is set for launch in the coming weeks. It will be entirely free and I am urging anyone who has an iPhone to download it once it’s gone live," said Davie.

The announcement by the Meningitis Trust follows the recent success of iHobo, a fundraising application by homelessness charity Depaul UK which received more than 100,000 downloads, topping the download chart for iPhone applications.