In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph consultant physician Professor Wallace Dinsmore revealed how the simple 'Tempe' spray had the potential to become as popular as the phenomenon of the tiny blue wonder pill which had its origins in Belfast.

Dubbed Spray and Stay, the treatment, which contains two anaesthetics - lidocaine and prilocaine - has already been a major success in a Europe/UK trial which included Northern Ireland.

Royal Victoria Hospital-based Professor Dinsmore, one of the UK's top experts in men's sex problems, revealed that the treatment, one of two cures being developed, could be made widely available within a year.

Potentially, like Viagra, the spray could benefit millions of men all over the world. Professor Dinsmore said: "This is a very exciting development. The results of the trials are very promising.

"It has the potential to be as successful as Viagra.

"The trials are divided into three stages. We've already carried out two phases. The results come from phase two in 54 men in Britain and the Netherlands.

"They were aged 18 and 75 and some had suffered for years.

"We have not seen any side effects to date.

"The next stage will involve large numbers of men from all over Europe."

After that it is hoped the treatment will be made widely available.

Those men involved in the trial were from Sheffield, Manchester, Durham, Plymouth, Londong, The Hague and Belfast.

They were asked to spray Tempe on their penises 15 minutes before intercourse.

The men were asked to time the gap between penetration and ejaculation.

Without treatment they averaged one minute.

Using the spray extended it to five minutes.

Professor Dinsmore said many men could benefit from the new development.

Current statistics show one in three men have sex problems.