Professor Viney stressed that, possible medical applications for the slime are at the moment conjecture.

BBC: Snail slime 'could mend bones'

Paul Viney, who lives nearby, said he believed the water was spurting up to about 45ft (14m) for two hours.

BBC: Berkshire

Professor Viney was helped in his work by a sixteen year old high school student, Mairi Struthers of Wishaw, who collected mucus from land snails housed at Edinburgh Zoo.

BBC: Snail slime 'could mend bones'