Former England Test bowler Shaun Udal says he faces the toughest challenge of his life after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The 50-year-old ex-Hampshire and Middlesex player has received widespread support since announcing on social media that he is suffering with the illness.

"It's something I've just got to get on with, if I think negatively and get downbeat about it then it's going to affect my chances of recovery," Udal told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's the toughest one (challenge) of my life.

"(I need to) fight it head on and tackle it and with the support of family and friends we'll keep it under control."

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition, with the three main symptoms involuntary shaking, slowness of movement and stiff and inflexible muscles.

Udal, who played four Tests in 2005 and 2006 as well as 11 one-day internationals before retiring in 2010, was diagnosed earlier this year.

"It's been nagging away at me a couple of years," he added.

"I had a neck operation about three-and-a-bit years back which was a success but for a period of time of about a year afterwards I was constantly getting arm pains and shakes and stuff.

"Eventually after asking and pushing for more scans and detailed things to happen, I had a brain scan about January time, which unfortunately showed that Parkinson's was the issue.

"I found out six weeks ago, it's a bit of a shock but there's always someone else worse off and you have to cope with it and move on."