My snoring has irritated my wife and even my neighbours for as long as I can remember

Alan Myatt

But he is also an exceedingly loud snorer.

He said: "My high volume voice has earned me a living for years, but my equally loud snoring has been a problem for just as long.

"While I've enjoyed great success as a town crier, my snoring has irritated my wife and even my neighbours for as long as I can remember."

His wife Jackie added: "For year's Alan's snoring has been a constant earache, and I've rarely got a good night's sleep."

But Alan claims his night-time rumblings have been quietened by a herbal remedy called "Helps Stop Snoring".

Mr Myatt says: "Both my wife and my neighbours have benefited and we can now all get a good night's sleep without me worrying that I'll be keeping everyone awake."

Trials of the product, carried out on 140 volunteers at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital have proved it to be 82% effective.

Mr Andrew Prichard, the consultant surgeon who carried out the trial, and who runs the Sleep Disturbance Clinic at the hospital, said: "These preliminary results indicate that the use of 'Helps Stop Snoring' essential oil gargle or spray dies reduce the irritation to snorers' sleeping patterns and could have a place in treatment."

Now, the manufacturers of the product are looking for people to take part in a "snoring farm".

'Grunt-busting'

Essential Health Products are looking for the country's worst snorers to take part in the "Big Brother" style research.

Company spokesman Graham Carr-Smith said: "The hunt is on for the nation' worst snorers to really put our remedy to the test.

Snoring can disturb many a night's sleep

"We will be putting them through a three-day intensive grunt-busting course in a secret location, complete with guards and surveillance cameras."

Volunteers will be monitored by nutrition, diet and sleep experts.

And they will be living under a strict regime for the duration of the study.

Mr Carr-Smith said: "As part of any agreement to take part, our security staff will search guests' bags for contraband items such as alcohol and cigarettes which can exacerbate snoring."

The company launched what it has dubbed the UK's first alternative remedy for snoring just before Christmas.

It say the remedy acts on the soft flap of skin at the back of the palate and makes it taut.

The theory is that when the skin is stiff, it doesn't reverberate during sleep.

The company says sufferers should see a difference within days.

Disturbed sleep

About 14m people in the UK are thought to snore, according to the manufacturers.

Snoring disturbs sleep - not least that of partners - but it can also be a sign of sleep apnoea.

Not all snorers have sleep apnoea. But virtually all those with sleep apnoea - defined as the cessation of breathing during sleep - do snore.

Help Stop Snoring is available from most high street chemists.

Those people who think they, or a loved one, could benefit from the "snoring farm" can call Essential Health Products' snoring helpline on 0121 355 2640, or via the website at http://www.stopsnoring.co.uk.