MAGGOTS are the latest weapon used by medics in York.

City patients are having leg ulcers treated using the crawly creatures as part of a medical trial.

Maggots are also being used to clean up the same condition in a new scheme in Scarborough.

The University of York is currently co-ordinating two medical trials called VenUS 11 and 111 which are investigating new ways of treating leg ulcers.

One three-year trial also involves treating ulcers with maggots and it is being tested on patients in York, along with other areas.

The other, launched over the past couple of months, is testing a new way of using ultrasound to treat the problem. So far, patients in Selby and York are not taking part in the second trial.

University-based Dr Judith Watson, who is co-ordinating the second trial, said it was "going very well".

Patients are treated over a 12-week period with a hand-held device that circles the edges of the ulcer.

Meanwhile, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) has opened a new treatment centre at its Scarborough Northway clinic to help patients who have developed leg ulcers.

The clinic is running every Monday and Thursday afternoon and uses various techniques to help its patients.

These include proven research methods like bandaging and Doppler ultrasound a way of assessing blood flow to the leg to diagnose why healing could be delayed.

But the clinic is also using more innovative treatments, including using maggots to help clean wounds.

District nurse Julie Scott, who runs the clinic, said: "Even though we've only been open a short while, we are absolutely delighted with the way things are going.

"Our patients are enjoying the treatment they are receiving and are pleased with the way that their conditions are improving, and we feel that it's a really worthwhile benefit to the community."

Una Adderley, tissue viability specialist nurse for the PCT, said: "This new leg ulcer clinic is being specially piloted and funded by this PCT, and is therefore only currently available to patients within our area.

"We use both ultrasound and maggot treatments for leg ulcers, and our patients are referred to us by their surgeries. We will be assessing the success of the pilot in order to consider expanding the service further when funding is available."