THE debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis were experienced by the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Great Yarmouth.At last week's Conservative conference Brandon Lewis tried out the MS simulator, which replicates symptoms associated with the condition such as vision and balance problems.

THE debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis were experienced by the prospective Parliamentary candidate for Great Yarmouth.

At last week's Conservative conference Brandon Lewis tried out the MS simulator, which replicates symptoms associated with the condition such as vision and balance problems.

Mr Lewis said: “Although this is a crude representation of what it's like to live with the symptoms of MS, being able to experience this first hand highlights just how important it is to make sure people with MS have adequate care and symptom relief.”

MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system - which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.

It is the most common neurological condition affecting young adults, with an estimated 100,000 sufferers in the UK.

Other symptoms include fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

MS Society head of policy and campaigns Dan Berry said: “It's been great to have the simulator at the conferences to give politicians a better understanding of what living with MS is like.”