Researchers in Norwich have been granted £1.4m to create a device to better diagnose patients who experience dizziness.

The teams from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) have been awarded the cash by the Medical Research Council to continue their work on the initiative.

The first grant, of £847,000, will fund the development of a diagnostic device to assess patients experiencing dizziness - with the hope it will reduce unnecessary GP and hospital visits, tests and scans.

The work will be carried out by UEA's school of computing sciences (CMP) and NNUH.

Professor Gerard Parr, CMP head of school, said: 'This grant demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary research that is of direct impact to society.

'The interplay between Medical Professionals and Computer Scientists is becoming ever more important as we strive to develop interventions that reduce the burden on NHS resources and optimise treatments for patients.'

Mark Davies, chief executive of the NNUH, said the award was a 'fantastic achievement'.

An additional grant of £560,660 was awarded to the university's school of biological sciences to continue its research into mechanisms controlling the regeneration of muscle tissue.

It has the potential to improve diagnostics and provide therapeutic benefits to sufferers of muscle disease.

Professor Andrea Münsterberg, who will lead the project, said: 'This grant from the MRC will enable us to continue important research which has potentially far reaching benefits across society.

'As we get older our muscle mass and strength tends to diminish and to support continued physical health and a good quality of life, it is important to keep muscle healthy. In the UK, 70,000 people suffer from muscular dystrophy or a related condition, which can have a debilitating effect on sufferers.'

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