Members of the Oxfordshire branch of the Alzheimer's Society have welcomed the Government's decision to scrap plans to withdraw drugs for the disease.

The reversal comes a fortnight after the National Institute for Clinical Excellence announced proposals to prevent doctors from prescribing Aricept, Exelon and Reminyl on the NHS.

Although the medications are not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative condition of the brain, they have been shown to slow down the illness.

The Oxford branch of the Alzheimer's Society was urging its members and anyone affected by the disease to lobby ministers in protest against the Nice decision.

Chairman Dr David Birch said: "This is excellent. It shows two things. First, the power of public intervention, and secondly, how there is nothing else to try with Alzheimer's.

"Anyone with Alzheimer's will know that these are the only drugs that have any effect over the years, and give carers more time.

"Alzheimer's is a progression to nothing for sufferers, and carers just don't know what to do. There's no respite care and so anything that eases their burden is important."

Last week Chris Storey, 55, of Wallingford, told the Oxford Mail how Aricept had given her mother Ellen Storey, 83, enthusiasm for life after Alzheimer's had left her listless and confused.