Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a variable damping mechanism having: at least one shear plate (5a, 5b); a moveable core (8) which has at least one surface which surface opposes the shear plate; a magneto-rheological fluid contained between the shear plate and the moveable core; and an electromagnet (7) which produces a magnetic field whose strength can be varied to change the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid; wherein the surface of the core is exposed to the magneto-rheological fluid such that the freedom of movement of the core is dependent upon the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid.