Parasitic worms could help prevent asthma and offer hope of a cure to the 5.4 million people in the UK with the condition, a new study has found.

Scientists at Edinburgh University found roundworms, which live in the intestines, release a protein called HpARI that prevents its host from having an allergic reaction.

The researchers found people who live in countries where the worms are common are less likely to have asthma.

In south east Asia, fewer than one in 20 people have asthma compared to one in 11 in the UK.

The study was funded by the charity Asthma UK and was published in the Immunity Journal this week.

Asthma attacks kill three people in the UK each day and are often triggered by allergic reactions to things like pollen, pets and dust mites.

It is hoped the protein used by the roundworms could be used as the basis for a treatment for asthma over the next five to ten years.

The research was led by Dr Henry McSorley at the Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research at Edinburgh University.

Dr McSorley said: "We have known for some years that infections with parasitic worms appear to protect people against asthma.

"We have always believed that identifying exactly how parasites prevent asthma could inspire new treatments.

"By identifying this new protein, we have found a new way of suppressing the allergic responses which cause asthma. In the future, we hope to develop this further."

Val Hudson, a consultant from Durham, was diagnosed with asthma as an adult.

She said: "It's incredible to think worms could cure asthma, and research like this will offer hope to the many people who like me who have asthma.

"My asthma attacks are triggered by cold weather, common colds and dust and they can leave me gasping for breath for hours.

"Having an asthma attack is absolutely terrifying, it feels like someone is holding a pillow over my face."

She added: "I have daily medication to control my asthma but there are still things I can't do because of it, like swimming and even walking makes me very breathless sometimes.

"I know people who have been in and out of hospital because of their asthma attacks so I want people to know how serious asthma can be.

"Three people die from it each day. That's why research like this is so vital."

Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at Asthma UK, said: "This is exciting early research that could pave the way for the development of new treatments for asthma.

"It is becoming clear that there are many different types of asthma and that not all of them respond to current treatment, which is why research like this is so important.

"Asthma UK funds research projects into asthma and breakthroughs like this can make a real difference to the lives of people with asthma."