The revelation that vitamin D supplements could prevent multiple sclerosis in future generations was greeted with delight by Ann Brown.

“It’s brilliant news – and the best thing is that it’s so simple,” she said.

Mrs Brown, 51, who has had the disease for ten years, said she would encourage her grown-up daughters to take supplements of the “sunshine vitamin”. Her aunt suffered from MS and she acknowledged the possibilities of genetic links. After Mrs Brown, from Falkirk, had her first attack, tests were inconclusive and it was five years before she was given a diagnosis.

She said: “The drugs that were out then, there were tremendous side-effects and they were not going to cure anything. What is so good about this is the fact that taking vitamin D is not going to do you any harm.

“I would like to see the Government as soon as possible recommend that everyone, and especially pregnant women, should take a daily supplement.”

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