An Ilkley woman who invented a diet patch to cure chocolate cravings is about to celebrate a double success.

She is about to launch the invention in America and is working on a new device which it is claimed will ease pre-menstrual tension and depression.

Liz Paul claims that the new patches use a black cherry smell to help alleviate the symptoms of PMT and a mixture of essential oils to combat depression.

And the original chocolate patches have proved so successful that a Hollywood television crew are flying to Ilkley tomorrow to film Liz at work.

"The new patches are good news for thousands of women who suffer from PMT every month and they should be available by the summer," said Liz. "The smells have been tested in America where they have found to be very effective and I'm going to incorporate them into patches.

"Smells are very powerful and different smells affect different parts of the brain in people.

"The researchers found that a black cherry smell was really effective in combating the problems of PMT such as headaches, mood swings and chocolate cravings,'' she added. "The depression patch uses a blend of essential oils like lavender which are very relaxing and it can be worn and sniffed whenever you feel down.

"More and more people are starting to realise the power of smell and all of these patches provide a totally natural remedy with no side effects."

Liz, a mother of three who used to run an Ilkley bistro, said she had been amazed at the success of the Diet Scent Patches. The sticking plasters, which give off a sickly sweet smell which is said to suppress the appetite for sweet food, are now on sale around the world.

The team from the Pinewood Studios in Los Angeles are coming to Ilkley as the chocolate patches are about to be launched in America.

"The film crew are flying in from Hollywood to follow me round on a typical day for a programme which will be shown on national television," said Liz.

"The patches are on sale there by mail order but hopefully next month they'll be available in pharmacies like they are in England.

"The Americans seem to have really taken to the idea as there is such a problem with obesity and I'm going there next month to appear on some talk shows," she added. "It is very exciting but it's also very tiring.''

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