PARENTS are being urged to have their children immunised with the controversial MMR vaccine following fears of a measles epidemic.

South Cheshire Health Authority, which covers GP practices in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, has expressed concern that many parents of young children do not believe the combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination is safe - despite new research giving it the all clear.

Dr Paula McDonald, consultant in communicable disease control for the health authority, said: "If we do not make sure we have high vaccine coverage, infection spreads easily through the pool of unprotected children in our communities.

"I would advise parents who didn't bring their children for MMR vaccination last year to ask their family doctor or health visitor to arrange vaccination now.

"Repeated studies have given MMR a clean bill of health and our children deserve no less."

Current figures show the uptake of MMR among two-year-olds in Cheshire has dropped from 92 per cent to 88 per cent over the past five years, following concerns that MMR might be linked to Autism and Crohn's Disease.

But these claims have been consistently refuted by the Department of Health, and extensive research carried out in Finland on almost two million children, last week confirmed that the vaccine remains the safest way to protect children, rather than separate vaccinations.

The Acorns surgery, in Wheelock Street, Middlewich, is one GP practice which recommends parents having their children vaccinated with MMR.

Dr Peter Curbishley, whose two children both received the MMR vaccine, said: "The single vaccines are not licensed for use in the UK and the inherent delay through having separate vaccines puts young children and others at grave risk.

"Parents have to make a decision based on the information available. In the event that they choose not to immunise their children then they must be prepared to accept the responsibility should their children contract and be permanently damaged by the diseases."