MAGGOTS munching on flesh could be the way to heal our wounds -according to health chiefs in York and Selby.

As part of a £750,000 University of York trial, patients such as Victor Beeston will have loose sterile maggots feeding on dead skin beneath a dressing, to see if they can heal leg ulcers quicker than conventional medicine.

Maggots in a bag and standard hydrogel treatment will also be used and monitored over a 12 month period.

Mr Beeston, of York, has 300 maggots feeding on his skin per treatment.

The maggots are the size of an eyelash but swell to baked bean size throughout feeding.

"You can't feel them moving around, it feels fine," said Mr Beeston.

"I was a bit worried before my first treatment, but they really don't bother me."

Maggots were still being used by doctors in the 1920s and 1930s, but were phased out with antibiotics.If they are found to help with the cleaning and healing of injuries, they could help reduce the £600 million paid out by the NHS each year to treat leg ulcers.

The NHS-funded study is being undertaken by the university's department of Health Science in partnership with Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) and 20 other health trusts in England and Northern Ireland.

Trial coordinator Pauline Raynor said: "Patients will have the chance to take part in an exciting study which will find out whether maggots really do heal ulcers more quickly.

"We need a total of 600 patients to come forward to take part in this important research.

"Of the people who have volunteered so far, squeamishness does not appear to be an issue at all.

"There is, however, no guarantee everyone who volunteers will get maggots because a third of patients will be treated more conventionally."

Heather Rice, the pct's director of health and social care, said: "This study will look at whether larvae therapy could enhance patient care, so I am delighted that Selby and York PCT has been asked to take part in the study.

The PCT is involved in a number of new initiatives which ensures that we are at the forefront of new research, so we can continue to deliver high quality of care to patients."

For information about the trial, phone 0800 138 3461.

Updated: 08:26 Wednesday, January 12, 2005