AN Ilkley woman is locked in a head-on clash with a confectionery giant over a fragrant new way to lose weight.

Liz Paul, 46, managing director of The Aromacology Patch Company, on Valley Drive, recently launched a vanilla-scented patch called Crave Control which claims to help slimmers resist cravings for chocolate and sweet foods.

Now chocolate maker Cadbury has asked the company to withdraw a national press advertising campaign which has resulted in almost £400,000 worth of sales in its first month.

In a letter to patch inventor Mrs Paul, Cadbury claims the adverts are a trademark infringement and ask the company to "pull the advertising campaign forthwith."

But instead, Mrs Paul, a former restaurateur, is planning to up the ante on her campaign and hopes to rake in almost £4million over the next 12 months in sales.

She said: "We have already spent in excess of £75,000 on advertising and intend to spend the same on another campaign. After Christmas there will also be a TV campaign featuring Joanna Lumley."

The patches, which have taken Mrs Paul five years to develop, are based on the simple theory that smell determines 95 percent of our taste sensations. By saturating the sense of smell with a vanilla scent, slimmers no longer crave sugary foods.

In the letter, sent by Cadbury's solicitors, the chocolate makers claim the adverts are too similar to their own. And although they say they have "no objection" to Mrs Paul's invention, they threaten to start legal proceedings if the adverts are not withdrawn.

Mrs Paul is undeterred. "I think Cadbury's are surprised we achieved such a good result. They are trying to stop us because we made an impact on their market.

"But I don't believe we are infringing their trademark as Crave Control is a healthcare product, not a confectionery one. If they are not bothered by us why spend time and money on solicitor's letters."

Richard Frost, a spokesman for Cadbury, said the company was very relaxed about Crave Control.

"But we do have a problem with the way Mrs Paul has chosen to show her product, extensively using purple and with chocolate chunks which look like Cadbury's.

"We jealously guard our reputation and we don't want people to think we have something to do with the product."

Crave Control is available from Boots in Ilkley and costs £19.95 for 21 days supply.