Scientists in Edinburgh are at the centre of a groundbreaking research programme which could unlock the secrets of motor neurone disease.

The experts, including Sir Ian Wilmut, the creator of Dolly the Sheep, are hoping their work will eventually lead to a treatment for the incurable condition.

The Edinburgh University scientists are mimicking the disease in a dish by taking skin samples from patients and using them to grow human motor neurone cells - enough to supply a worldwide hunt for a cure.

Dr Brian Dickie, of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, explained the research.

He said: "The hope is that they will use these cells to screen tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of chemicals, in the hope that if something keeps the human motor neurone alive in the dish, it will keep it alive in the human body."

Dr Ian Wilmut, creator of Dolly the Sheep, says they are trying to unlock the secrets of a deadly disease.

He said: "I think there is a realistic hope that over ten or 20 years, we will understand the disease and be able to identify small molecules that can at least slow down its development.

One sufferer of the disease has welcomed the research.

Billy McAlaney said: "There's a lot of people out there with motor neurones, there's a lot of people don't realise it. And hopefully something will come of it. Ok it might not help me, but hopefully it will help other people."

The work is being carried out at the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research at Edinburgh University, with funding from the MND Assocation.