Dogs terrified by the sound of fireworks are being offered help by a university research team.

The University of Lincoln says it has developed a chemical which will reduce the stress experienced by dogs when they hear fireworks explode.

With bonfire night approaching, many dogs "find this a miserable time of year, petrified by the unpredictable bangs," says Daniel Mills, principal lecturer in Behavioural Studies and Animal Welfare.

The treatment is delivered by a plug-in device, similar to air fresheners, which will send a soothing pheromone into the air.

"Many owners resort to seeking drugs for their pets in order to help them cope, but this is a simpler solution," said Mr Mills.

'Chemical barrier'

This "dog appeasing pheromone" is a synthetic version of naturally-occurring chemicals which help to reassure newborn pups.

Researchers believe that anxiety can be triggered in animals by exposure to sudden and unfamiliar experiences.

And this pheromone can dampen these sensations by giving animals an artificial sensation of familiarity, which acts against the tensions caused by the sudden loud noises of fireworks.

"Unlike drugs, the diffuser does not sedate the animal and make it sleepy," says Mr Mills.

The research, to be published in The Veterinary Record, was based on a study of 30 dogs who had shown signs of fear when fireworks were being set off.

And it is claimed that exposure to the pheromone reduced the levels of fear.

But the effectiveness depended on the dogs receiving an early exposure to the pheromone, which created a "chemical barrier" to the onset of stress.