Children in Swansea are being placed at unnecessary risk by not having the MMR jab, new research suggests. Researchers have cast doubt on the possibility of a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

More than 70 parents in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot claim the MMR vaccination damaged their children, leading to conditions including autism.

But the researchers say the recorded increase in incidences of autism since 1979 is down to better diagnosis and recognition of autism as opposed to any link to the jab.

Dr Ian Millington, a GP at the Fforestfach Medical Centre in Ravenhill Road, said: "It is the impression that doctors have had for some time. Basically we have got better at diagnosing autism.

"The results do suggest that it is an association with time rather than with the actual injection."

The study, conducted by Professor Brent Taylor of the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London, put the increase down to better recording systems, increased recognition and a greater willingness to diagnose the condition in younger children. Dr Millington agreed, saying that 30 years ago autism was difficult to diagnose but it had now become easier.

He said that because children were being diagnosed at a younger age, often at the same time as when they were having their jabs, the link was being made.

Fears over the vaccination have an increasing number of parents to stop their children having the jabs, causing an increase in cases of mumps and measles.

Dr Millington said: "Yet there is no evidence that autism is less common in this part of the country than anywhere else.

"My advice would still be the same and that is that children should be receiving the MMR injection."