Dairy farmers are starting to turn to aromatherapy in a bid to cure mastitis in their cows.

A special massage oil is being used to clear up mastitis, an infection which causes cows' udders to become inflamed.

Ex-farmer Norman Spence, 59, has created the 'udder oil' from a blend of lavender, eucalyptus, geranium and damask rose. The oil is sold by his company Avesta Herbal Products of Skipton.

He said: "A customer who is a farmer came in for some oil to alleviate his arthritis.

"He came back later and said: "I don't suppose you can do anything for cows with mastitis. Now he swears by it.

"It works by bringing down the cell count of the bacteria in only two applications and can clear it up in two to three days.

"It can have an advantage over an antibiotic such as penicillin which often means a lot of milk has to be poured down the drain.

"Mastitis can be a real problem for farmers and can cost them a lot of money in wasted milk and antibiotics.

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