Cases of mumps are continuing to rise across Sussex with more than 125 people struck down by the virus this year.

Health bosses are urging people to get protected with the triple measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to try and keep the outbreak under control.

The largest number of cases has been in Brighton and Hove, which has dealt with 54 since January compared to 27 for the whole of 2009.

East Sussex has recorded 45 cases so far, one more than the 44 recorded in 2009.

West Sussex has experienced the fewest number with 26 people falling ill compared to 70 in 2009.

Last year’s figures were higher for West Sussex because of an outbreak at the University of Chichester when dozens of students fell ill.

Some parents are continuing to refuse to let their child be immunised with the MMR vaccine because of a largely discredited link with autism.

Cases are affecting both young adults and teenagers and health bosses say MMR take up rates need to rise.