Many parents in Sussex are not protecting their children against disease by using the all-inclusive MMR vaccine on the NHS.

They are worried there is a chance the vaccine should be linked with complications such as autism.

But health authorities say this is not proven and failure to vaccinate will leave children open to diseases such as measles which will cause far for widespread health problems in the community.

The alternative being taken by mothers such as Amanda Montford is to take children to clinics which are offering separate vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella.

She is entitled to make that choice but unless she and other mothers manage to persuade the NHS that MMR is wrong, they will have to pay for it.