Gangrene, sores and little bites are just some of the ailments which have been cured by the magical qualities of a Haworth ointment -- according to customers worldwide.

Rose & Co Apothecary, in Main Street, Haworth, has being selling the "miracle" ointment called Zam-Buk for 15 years.

The owners of the shop, mother and daughter Patricia and Caroline Rose, have received letters from across the globe praising the traditional healing qualities of Zam-Buk.

The ointment, which was once the remedy of an older generation, is claimed to cure ailments such as rheumatism, cuts, grazes, bites and stings. And originally it was advertised as a cure for snake bites.

Letters received from satisfied customers have revealed some unexpected uses for the ointment.

One woman wrote "... in my early teens I had my leg amputated due to gangrene and I put it on my other leg and it was saved."

Betty Turner, from East Sussex, wrote: "I can't wait to get Zam-Buk again -- particularly as I've strained my left hand and wrist hedge cutting -- I know it will cure it."

Margaret Johnson, from Felixtowe, says: "I think it's doing the trick to lessen the scars on my foreleg, a thing I had never thought likely to see."

The shop receives many similar letters daily.

Zam-Buk was made by pharmaceutical company Fisons and was readily available, but when Fisons halted its production in the 1990s, Rose & Co decided to produce their own home-made equivalent.

Patricia Rose said: "We keep getting asked for it. As far as we know we are the only place in England still producing it.

"A lot of people think it has magical qualities. It was used a lot in the war years when people didn't have anything else and a lot of people think some of the older remedies are the best.

"A lot of the day trippers come here especially to get it."

It is so popular as a remedy for many afflictions, that the shop receives demands for the product from New Zealand, India, Canada, Argentina and South Africa.

The little apothecary was also asked to supply it for use by the family who lived the life of a traditional Forties' household in a Channel Four TV documentary.

The name Zam-Buk originated in New Zealand and was the title given to someone who administered first aid to sports men.

Traditionally "zambuck" was a member of the Order of St John, established at the time of the Crusades to care for the injured.

The green, opaque ointment can be purchased in a 20 gram tub for £3.99 in the shop.