A super-strength chewing gum is allowing people to smell and taste again after they lost the senses during Covid.

The University of Nottingham has designed an intensely flavoured gum that acts like physiotherapy for sensory nerves, encouraging regrowth and repairing brain connections.

Trial participants who had not smelt for three years were able to recognise aromas and tastes after only six weeks of daily chewing.

The invention recalls the gum devised by Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, which tasted like a three-course meal, including blueberry pie for dessert. But testing of the fictional concoction was not complete, and when the character of Violet Beauregarde snatched a piece, she blew up like a blueberry.

Dr Paul Wicks, a neuropsychologist from the University of Nottingham who took part in the pilot trial after losing his sense of smell during the pandemic, said: "The first time flavour punched me in the face was a blueberry.

"I had blueberries on my cereal most mornings for the preceding year, and I just had them for nutrient content, and one day I put one in my mouth, and the entire world turned purpley blue. I felt like Violet Beauregarde."

He added: "About a week later, I ran the lawn mower over a hidden dog poo on the grass. It was like being hit by a garbage truck.

"Every time I fill up my coffee machine, it's the highlight of my week, because I get to smell the beans. I smell the kids' hair at every opportunity."

It is thought around 3.5 million people in Britain – around 5 per cent of the population – have problems with smelling, which also stops them being able to taste properly.

Not only does it spoil their enjoyment of eating, but it can have serious health implications, because they are unable to smell gas leaks, fires or notice that food has gone off.