MILLIONS who braved online craze the Ice Bucket Challenge have helped fund a landmark breakthrough in treatment for a degenerative disease, scientists say.

Thousands in Hampshire were among those posting footage of themselves drenched with freezing cold water for the viral social media trend which swept the globe in summer 2014.

Now experts say their efforts have funded an important scientific gene discovery in the progressive neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Scleriosis (ALS).

The Ice Bucket Challenge raised $115m (£87.7m) from videoing themselves having cold water poured over themselves, posting it online and nominating others to take up the challenge.

Celebrities Tom Cruise, Bill Gates, Usain Bolt, Gwen Stefani, the Beckham family and Kermit the Frog all took part.

In Hampshire actor Michael Henbury – who is Britain’s smallest man – braved the craze along with Echo reporter Michael Carr.

Imaad Mahuroof and his new wife Zaina even took part in a surprise challenge at their wedding.

It was criticised as a ‘slacktivism’ stunt, but has funded six research projects.

Now the ALS Association says the fundraising has helped identify a new gene called NEK1 which is responsible for contributing to the disease.

New research by Project MinE, published in Nature Genetics is the largest-ever study of inherited ALS, also known as motor neurone disease (MND).

More than 80 researchers in 11 countries searched for ALS risk genes in families affected by the condition.

The disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which leads to total paralysis and death, usually within two to five years of diagnosis.

The identification of gene NEK1 means scientists can now develop a gene therapy treating it.

Dr John Landers, of University of Massachusetts Medical School, co-led the study.

He said: “Global collaboration among scientists, which was really made possible by ALS Ice Bucket Challenge donations, led to this important discovery.

“It is a prime example of the success that can come from the combined efforts of so many people, all dedicated to finding the causes of ALS.”

Project MinE was the brainchild of entrepreneur and ALS patient Bernard Muller who said: “I’m incredibly pleased with the discovery of the NEK1 gene adding another step towards our ultimate goal, eradicating this disease from the face of the earth.”