RESEARCH claiming autism and irritable bowel disorders are definitely not linked to the MMR vaccine has been dismissed by the director of a clinic set up to administer vaccines singly.

Debbie Ryding said the findings published this week by Dr Anna Donald and Dr Vivek Muthu in the journal Clinical Evidence were "nothing new".

Mrs Ryding, who runs Desumo Information and Healthcare from an office in Ledbury, said: "I don't know whether it's linked or not but it should be looked at independently and it's still not happening."

She also said the research was not being heeded.

"Judging by the amount of people booking with us it's not allaying parents' fears."