ALONG with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s is one of the fastest growing diseases in our population.

What great news it is then that Oxford could be the place that a cure is eventually developed.

Thanks to a £6m boost, the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre will continue with its remarkable work.

Using skin cells gathered from people across the county, scientists can test the efficacy of treatments they are working on.

And there are firm hopes this could mean a treatment is on its way by 2020.

In Oxford this has particular relevance.

Former neurologist Sir Roger Bannister, who ran his famous sub-four-minute mile at Iffley Road, revealed to the Oxford Mail last year that he was suffering from the disease.

There are some 500 people in Oxfordshire who live with this condition, and there will unfortunately be more. Investment in research provides hope we will beat this awful condition.