A HERBALIST, who developed his own "miracle" insect repellant, was stung into action when wasps attacked him while he was on holiday.

But the Bolton medicine man was left smarting after realising that he had forgotten to cover himself in his magic potion.

Gerrard Alexander, who produces natural remedies for stars from Coronation Street and the British athletic team, has produced a special cream combining ingredients like arnica, St John's wort and lavender that wards off insects. After the Lostock herbalist rubbed raw garlic on his stings, his fingers began to swell up.

He was taken to Torquay Hospital where medical staff were forced to cut off his wedding ring.

He said: "It was like a red hot poker had been placed into my hand. I'm no softie, but I've never experienced pain like it before.

"I usually keep my insect repellant in the car, but because I was in a rush, I didn't take it with me.

"It really annoyed me that I'd forgotten it because it would have avoided this painful experience.

"It's quite ironic that I've produced my own repellant, but I didn't have it when I needed it most!"

Mr Alexander added that cider vinegar is usually recommended for wasp stings to take the pain and irritation away.

The 75-year-old also supplies insect repellant to help treat horses at a riding school in Kearsley.

The herbalist's "miracle" cream even cured Molly the horse who suffered from gaping wounds after constant insect bits.

Vets had said that nothing could be done for her but within two weeks of using the cream, the abscess had healed over.

The consultant herbalist works from home and says famous customers like Liz Dawn, who plays Vera Duckworth, uses his anti-ageing mosituriser.

Mr Alexander has also concocted natural suntan acclerant and even natural Viagra which he assures is selling "very well".