The parents of an autistic York youngster are suing a drugs company for damages, claiming their son's condition was caused by the controversial measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Mandy and Rod Brunskill, whose eight-year-old son Liam is severely autistic, are among the parents of about 200 children across the country being represented in a mass action against pharmaceutical firms by London solicitors Hodge, Jones and Allen.

All claim their children's condition was caused by the triple MMR vaccine.They are seeking compensation for personal injury and loss.

The Government and most health experts continue to stress there is no evidence of any link between the vaccine and conditions such as autism or bowel disorder. They say it is vital parents continue to take their children for their MMR jab.

But the Brunskills, from Clifton Moor, are convinced the MMR jab was a factor in their son's autism.

Mrs Brunskill, who has also sent details of Liam's case along with photographs of her son before and after his vaccination to Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair, said today: "I saw a child disappear. I lost him at a year old. You look in his eyes and it is like he's gone. It's like there is a brick wall behind his eyes."

Mrs Brunskill said they were not suing for the money, but to force those in the health industry to listen.

Peter Todd, a partner in Hodge, Jones and Allen, said the Brunskills' action will be against US firm Merck Inc., known in this country as Merck, Sharp and Dome.

A spokesman for Aventis Pasteur MSD, which supplies MMR vaccines in Europe manufactured by Merck, confirmed today the company was aware of the legal action.

She said she could not comment on specific cases, but added: "There have been over 500 million doses of MMR given worldwide. Independent bodies in the UK, in Europe and in the USA have looked at the alleged link between the MMR vaccine, autism and Crohn's disease, and all these independent bodies say there is no link."

Updated: 11:24 Tuesday, January 30, 2001

A jab too far?