RESEARCHERS in Bradford trying out a new cream that could cure red, spotty and angry-looking skin are looking for women and men willing to give it a go.

The cream called Omiganan from America could help rid the confidence-zapping problem of Rosacea, a skin complaint that mostly affects women from their late 30s to 60.

Professor Andrew Wright, who is a consultant dermatologist at St Luke's Hospital, said the study needs to recruit the worst sufferers, so he has had to go public with the appeal for volunteers to join the 12-week study which is likely to start next month.

"The patients we come into contact with at our skin clinics are already being treated so we've had to go public to get the message out and reach people who are fed up with it, have a significant problem with it and have found nothing that works. We need the ones who are worst off.

"In its mildest form it's a common complaint among middle-aged women but for some people it does get severe. Men get it too. We are looking for the top ten per cent of them to see how effective this new cream can be," said Prof Wright who is also a visiting professor and clinical director at the University of Bradford's Centre for Skin Science.

He said the new cream is absolutely safe and is in its last stages of trials to measure just how much it can help the condition which can give some people the appearance of being sunburnt or even drunk and is associated with a lot of flushing.

Usually it is the central part of the face on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose which breaks out in crops of small inflamed red bumps and pus spots giving a burning or stinging sensation.

Blood vessels dilating too easily are thought to have a link with causing it and alcohol, too much exercise, hot and cold temperatures, hot spicy foods, stress and sunlight make it worse.

There are some treatments currently available but they are mainly tablets, said Prof Wright, which do not suit everybody.

He said: "We need about eight or ten people who are suitable to come forward. We're sure it's safe to use we just need to measure it's effectiveness and we will do that by giving our volunteers the cream to use at home and just ask them to come back and see us after a few weeks at a time to see what improvements there might be."

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over, anyone interested should get in touch with research staff on 01274 365456 to find out more.