The Prince of Wales is backing plans to use deer as "tick mops" in countryside frequented by walkers to curb the spread of Lyme disease, a deadly infection.
Prince Charles discussed the technique with researchers at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, who are looking for an environmentally-friendly way to curb the soaring number of ticks.
The prince, who farms sheep and cattle at his organic Duchy Home Farm at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, has said he is concerned about Lyme disease but does not support the use of chemical pesticides.
The Aberdeen team is considering lacing deer with a natural pesticide; the creatures would be allowed to roam close to areas frequented by visitors or used by rural workers.
They believe such "tick mops" would not only reduce the number of parasites but would be a more humane way to tackle the disease than culling or fencing in the animals.
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"It is encouraging that [Prince Charles] is taking an interest in the issue," said Dr Lucy Gilbert, from the Macaulay Institute.
In the UK each year, some 3,000 people are infected by Lyme disease and about 60 die. Symptoms include a rash, fever, headache and fatigue. The infection can be treated with antibiotics.