Researchers will use new technology in the study

The money from the Medical Research Council will fund what is thought to be one of the largest studies into Clostridium Difficile.

The bug is becoming more common with 55,681 cases among the over-65s in 2006 - up 8% on the year before.

The team will search for new therapies to prevent or cure C Diff, which can resist most antibiotics.

The study will use new technology to deactivate toxins which cause the bug.

Professor Nigel Minton, who is leading the research, said: "Although we have the entire genetic blueprint of C Diff, and have an inkling as to what bacterial factors might be important in disease, we have been unable to test these ideas.

"Our breakthrough ClosTron technology now makes gene knock-out very quick and easy. Once we know what factors are important we should be able to develop methods of preventing C Diff causing disease."