Acne sufferers are having their spots zapped away by laser beam in a North Swindon doctors' surgery.

Taw Hill Medical Centre is the first clinic in the country to offer its patients NLite treatment for the skin condition.

The laser works by using intense light penetrating deep into the skin killing bacteria far deeper into the dermis, or the deep skin, than face washes can reach.

The Great Western Laser Unit, which operates from Taw Hill Medical Practice, is run by doctors June Morris and Peter Crouch.

Dr Crouch said: "Every-one knows that most people's acne gets better in the summer months. Many acne sufferers use sun beds to keep their skin looking good.

"But this approach encourages exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays given off by sunbeds and raises your risk of skin cancer.

"Research has shown that you need only a tiny part of the spectrum found in sunlight the pure yellow light range.

"The NLite laser we use safely treats acne as it does not give off unnecessary harmful ultraviolet rays."

Acne can affect men and women of all ages regardless of skin type or lifestyle.

Seven out of 10 teenagers are affected by the condition, which persists into adult life for two out of 10.

An estimated four million working days are lost every year because of acne.

Dr Crouch added: "Use of medical lasers to treat patients is a truly interesting and innovative branch of medicine. Using the NLite laser offers a very real alternative to antibiotics for acne.

"Acne is a serious issue for many people. Acne sufferers generally have much lower self esteem and, in some cases, it is given as the reason why some teenagers attempt suicide.

"Helping patients feel good about themselves is a worthwhile thing."

About 40 patients are currently being treated for acne free of charge, in 30-minute sessions.

It would cost £300 if the treatment was carried out privately. Each person needs between 700 and 900 shots of laser light, which feels like a little jet of hot water pulsing against the skin for a fraction of a second. Most patients need two or three sessions.

Acne can be graded using a scoring system, which varies from one for mild conditions to 12 for really angry acne.

After each treatment with NLite, patients notice that their score goes down by two points.

For more information visit www.gwlu.com