A FORMER England swimmer has released a CD to raise money for fellow multiple sclerosis sufferers.

Stephanie Millward, who lives in Box, wrote a poem about how the debilitating disease had affected her life.

It has been turned into a song to raise cash for the MS nerve centre appeal, and was recorded at the Arc Studios, Bath.

The fundraising campaign aims to raise £1.25m for a pioneering centre at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, to help MS sufferers.

The first 500 copies of the CD, called Paying the Price, went on sale at Monday's golden jubilee celebrations in Box.

Miss Millward said: "I want to raise awareness about MS and I hope releasing the song is a good way to do this."

Before she was struck down by MS, Miss Millward was swimming for England and was being tipped as an Olympic swimmer.

The MS nerve centre appeal is aiming to convert a disused stable block at Frenchay Hospital into a state-of-the-art complex to research, assess, treat and care for MS sufferers.

Appeal fundraising manager, John Nickolls, said: "Stephanie's CD adds a new dimension to our fundraising appeal and will help us achieve our goal of ensuring our vision becomes a reality."

The CD is available from the appeal offices on 0117 918 6757 priced £3.50.