MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer Marion Roberts welcomed new guidelines relaxing cannabis laws because the drug can relieve painful symptoms of the disease.

Ms Roberts, 59, of Imber Road, Warminster, was diagnosed with MS in 1993.

She hopes the Home Secretary's move to downgrade cannabis from a Class B to a low-risk Class C drug will be the first step towards legalising it for medical use.

Although she cannot use the drug herself, she said it could help many sufferers.

She said: "I have to take eight painkillers a day just to ease the pain and I will have to take them for the rest of my life. The pain is excruciating. Sometimes I can't move my legs so I have to stay in bed. I can't carry shopping or go to town on my own. I'm 59 years old and I sometimes think my life is over.

"I would vote to let MS sufferers use cannabis even though I can't use it myself. Anything which can take the edge off the pain would be a good idea."

Margaret Purkiss, chairman of the Warminster branch of the MS Society, said sufferers should be given the opportunity to try the drug.

Her husband, Ken, 77, has had the disease for more than 30 years.

Mrs Purkiss said: "I think some would like it to be prescribed medically. Many sufferers have terrible spasms in the night which must be quite frightening. If there is anything that helps then let's have it."

The new policy, drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers, is likely to take effect in January.

Home Secretary David Blunkett hopes it will allow police to focus on hard drugs like heroin.

Reclassification will mean people caught using the drug will escape with a warning and the confiscation of their drugs.

Anyone found smoking cannabis in public will still be arrested, along with habitual offenders and anyone aged under 17 found using the drug. Police will also detain users caught near schools or in areas where local people have complained.

Officers will have to decide what amount constitutes personal use.

Detective Sergeant John McCance, drug liaison officer for Wiltshire, said: "This change in legislation does not come into effect until early 2004 and until that time the way in which we deal with cannabis offences will not change."

Currently cannabis is illegal in the UK, even for medical use.

Anyone caught in possession of the drug faces a maximum of two years in prison and dealing cannabis carries a maximum sentence of five years.