FEARS that the triple measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism or bowel inflammation have been refuted in the latest study.

The new report, produced by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, examined the scientific evidence surrounding the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine jab.

And it concluded that MMR is the most effective and safest way of protecting children from the three diseases.

Concerns were first prompted in a 1998 scientific paper by Andrew Wakefield, who reported a link between the MMR jab and the onset of bowel inflammation or autism in a small group of young children.

In spite of much scientific evidence to the contrary, a significant number of parents in Swindon refused to have their youngsters immunised.

In 2001, family doctors in the town reported an 87 per cent uptake of the MMR jab against target coverage of 95 per cent to ensure immunity throughout the population.

As confidence in the jab has grown in the town, the uptake figure has risen to 95 per cent, against a national average of 90 per cent.

But for those parents whose children suffer from autism, the cause remains a mystery.

Christine Rogers long ago learned to ignore the disapproving stares of others when her son had one of his temper tantrums.

Her autistic son, Christopher, 15, is often mistaken for being badly behaved or rude because his form of autism, called Asperger's Syndrome is more subtle than other forms of the condition.

Mrs Rogers, 42, of Grindal Drive, Grange Park, explained: "One of the things that parents of a child with Asperger's Syndrome learns to live with is other people thinking that you are a terrible parent. It can be very difficult."

Christopher's parents first became aware that something was different about his behaviour when he was a toddler.

Mrs Rogers said: "Because he was our first child, we did not have anything to compare his development to, so perhaps we didn't see the problems as early as we might have.

"We noticed that he always seemed to need a lot of attention."

At the time, Asperger's Sydrome was not widely recognised.

It was only in the late 90s that knowledge of the syndrome became widespread, and Christo-pher was not diagnosed with the condition until he was nine.

Mrs Rogers, who has two younger children, both girls, explained that her son's condition was at the high end of a spectrum of autistic disorders.

She said: "Initially many people don't realise that there is anything different about Christopher.

"His Asperger's Syndrome limits his communication, social interaction and imagination.

"In Christopher's case, he cannot bear any change of routine. He sticks to rigid patterns of behaviour.

"In common with many people with the disorder, he has an overriding interest.

"That is he is absolutely fascinated by trains and railways and has an incredible knowledge in that area.

"He is happy when his day is mapped out and he knows what is going on. But he can become very anxious if there is any change to that.

"Like other autistic children, he can have terrible temper tantrums, where he will go completely off the rails. It can be very distressing.

"His memory for all things to do with railways is amazing, and he is able to follow his interest with a number of railway societies which means that he has some form of social network."

"He can be very challenging to deal with when he doesn't get his own way, but in other ways he can be very rewarding.

"Looking after a child with this problem can be a very isolating experience and can put a lot of pressure on the family.

"I have set up a support group for other people in a similar position, because you do need help."

Mrs Rogers can be contacted on Swindon 639442.