Leech

Available for over a year

Brett Westwood is sucked into the weird and wonderful world of the leech. It's been portrayed both as monstrous and as a medical marvel, but which is nearer the truth? Christopher Frayling doesn't think we can ever get over the fact that it's a reviled bloodsucker, just like the most famous bloodsucker of them all, Dracula - and he reveals a hidden link between the two. Bethany Sawyer and her company provide leeches for the NHS to help in reconstructive surgery, and Brett visits their leech farm for an uncomfortably close encounter. Emma Sherlock is an enthusiast for all things wormy and for the amazing abilities of the humble leech, but hearing how they used to be gathered and used could surely send a shudder down any spine.. Taking part: Bethany Sawyer, General Manager of Biopharm Sir Christopher Frayling, Professor Emeritus of Cultural History, Royal College of Art Emma Sherlock, Curator of Free Living Worms at the Natural History Museum Dr Robert Kirk, Lecturer in Medical History and Humanities at the University of Manchester Original producer : Beth O'Dea Reversion producer : Andrew Dawes First broadcast in a longer form 2nd August 2016