A family from Worcester has been lobbying Parliament in London to fund a cure for muscular dystrophy.

Jane and Mark Field, of Kepax Gardens, Barbourne, were among 180 people to urge the Government to increase the money put into research into the Duchenne strain of the condition.

The couple's eight-year-old son, Murray, was diagnosed with Duchenne 12 months ago. It only affects boys, wastes muscles away, and limits life expectancy to early adulthood.

Mrs Field said: "We are asking the Government for £20m. A consortium has developed a patch that can cover faulty genes. Not only is this good news for Duchenne, but good for other genetic conditions.

"The £20m is needed to ensure the project and other initiatives are funded. We have to mount pressure on the government to get them to listen to our demands.

"We lobbied Parliament last year too, just after Murray was diagnosed. This year we are more hopeful and know more about what we want."

Until a cure can be found, parents like Mr and Mrs Field are putting their hopes on clinical trials to take place next year which could slow the effects of the condition.

Mrs Field added: "It could make the difference between someone like Murray dying in their 20s to living to their 40s."