French scientists want to help stop the progression of a rare genetic disorder that has crippled a 26-year-old Knutsford man.

They told medical experts from across the world gathered at a conference last week about their plans to conduct a new trial into the debilitating Friedrichs Ataxia.

"It is great news that more work is being done to address the issue," said Dr Julie Greenfield, who works for Ataxia UK.

Tim Loosemore, of Canute Place, Knutsford, was at university when he developed the disease that is slowing destroying his movement, speech, sight and hearing.

It threatens to kill him before he is 40.

So far most research has focused on finding a cure.

But this trial would look at ways of stopping the progression.

Details about the trial are still sketchy but it would be run in conjunction with projects in the UK that are focusing on developing new drugs to alleviate symptoms.

The expert in charge of a three-year, £20,000 project - partly funded by the people of Knutsford - also spoke to the 50-plus neuroscientists and geneticists at the conference.

Dr Richard Festenstein said that blood samples taken from one sufferer had now been analysed and the initial results were promising.

But he warned that it was too early to say if it would be a success.

"They will have to repeat those tests over and over again and take lots of other samples," said Dr Greenfield.

"It is a long process and can take time to see what happens with the results."