A NEW golf competition to raise cash for research into a muscle wasting disease teed off at Omberlsey Golf Club yesterday.

The Murray Field Muscular Dystrophy Golfing Trophy has been donated to the club by Spa worker Jane Field and husband, Mark, whose son Murray, aged seven, has recently been diagnosed with a form of the disease.

The couple hope the golfing event will become a regular fixture in the club's competition calendar for future years.

The contest was due to be followed by a dinner for competitors last night and a presentation ceremony.

Jane, who runs an osteopath's clinic in Droitwich, said: "Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive muscle wasting disease that only affects boys.

"Every week, two boys are diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and most will die in their twenties."

She added: "The positive news is that scientists are on the brink of a treatment but they need £5m now and another £20m over the next four years to make the treatment available.

Their work will extend the life expectancy of people like Murray and will give us more time to find a possible cure."

The family, which lives in Worcester, with the help of friends have already raised more than £3,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign through a sponsored walk on the Malvern Hills in aid of Murray's Muscles.

Osteopath partner Bernadette Trevillion is running in the Great North Run in aid of the campaign and a patient of Janes' hopes to run the London Marathon next April to help the Fields to raise more money.