SMELLY dogs putting guests off the Christmas dinner could soon be a thing of the past - thanks to an innovative East Yorkshire business.

BAC to Nature, based at Pocklington Industrial Estate, has provided natural solutions to animal hygiene problems for ten years. But this Christmas staff are busier than ever as hundreds of orders have poured in for a spray to banish bad breath in dogs.

The spray, known as Freshen Up, has only been available to the public this year although the company has been developing the product for several years.

Managing director Steve Parker said the company usually experienced a dip in sales over the festive period.

He said: "We have been inundated since we made this public knowledge. Usually it goes quiet over the Christmas period, but maybe this year people have memories of their dogs upsetting visitors with their bad breath."

The product, which can either be sprayed directly into the dog's mouth, or added to its drinking water, was discovered by the team by accident.

While using the spray to eliminate odours on a dog's coat the dog put his mouth round the spray and they realised it had been effective in removing its bad breath.

Tests carried out by microbiologists also revealed the formula improved the condition of canine teeth and gums and altered the ph of dog urine so it doesn't burn grass. Mr Parker said: "We believe we have the best kept secret in the world. The technology that we have is very unique."

Freshen Up is not the only product by the business, which employs five workers at peak times of year, to create a stir.

Its odour eliminator is so powerful that it is used in the chemical toilets at Glastonbury Festival and many of the company's customers are pig farmers who use the products to tackle the smell of slurry.

Updated: 11:56 Friday, December 05, 2003