A scientist who has dedicated 30 years of his life to finding a cure for debilitating Crohn's disease says he is one step closer to his goal.

Professor John Hermon-Taylor, who lives in Wimbledon, could revolutionise the lives of some of the 115,000 people in the UK who have Crohn’s – a bowel condition which makes it difficult to lead a normal life.

Research led by Prof Hermon-Taylor at Kings College London has led to the development of a test for the bacterium, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and a vaccine which he claims will cure the disease.

If successful, it will change the lives of Crohn’s sufferers across the world.

Prof Hermon-Taylor, 78, of Parkside Avenue, said: "It is going to be a game changer.

"MAP has been a candidate for causing Crohn’s for over 100 years and no-one has been able to see it.

"I have invented a new test to see the bug.

"It has the potential to put Crohn’s into lasting remission."

Crohn’s disease affects about 115,000 people of all ages in the UK and is the most common form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease along with Ulcerative Colitis.

People with Crohn's can suffer with constant diahorrea, abdominal pain and chronic fatigue which makes it difficult to maintain a normal life.

They often require surgery to remove sections of their intestine or bowel.

Prof Hermon-Taylor said: "This will be world-wide, not just for Britain.

"It will be a victory for what I call the little people – I am one of them.

"We shall win."

Prof Hermon-Taylor said he has been working on this since 1985 when he discovered some DNA in MAP that allowed scientists to test for its existence.

The process has cost £70,000, 90 per cent of which has been raised by donations, as well as three major grants between 1990 and 2010.

The vaccine is ready to be tested on humans after successful trials on cattle, and after that it could be made available on the NHS by 2015.

MAP is unlike many bacteria which cause human disease. It is very difficult to study in the laboratory because it cannot be seen through a microscope in human tissues.

The latest fundraising event will take place at Epsom Racecourse on Saturday night, at which Prof Hermon-Taylor will make a speech.

To buy tickets to the Crohn’s MAP Vaccine Ball, visit the website.