Scientists in Edinburgh are looking for couples keen to try out a new contraceptive jab for men.

The team from Edinburgh University reckon they have found a method which could prove more effective than condoms.

Made up of a new combination of hormones, the jab would need to be taken every two months.

It is designed to significantly lower the man's sperm count but would be entirely reversible.

Experts hope the method will become more widely available following successful trials and say it could even come to be more commonly used than condoms.

However, the scientists need couples who are willing to try out the injections in a year long international trial.

They are looking for 20 couples from the South East of Scotland to take part in the World Health Organisation test. They will be part of a group of 400 couples from across Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.

Professor Richard Anderson of Edinburgh University's reproductive and development sciences division said: "If this trial is successful I imagine there would be interest in looking at marketing the injection as a male contraceptive.

"Even if not all men would be keen on an injection, there would definitely be a market to make such a treatment available."

The study is looking to recruit couples where the man is aged under 45 and the woman is under the age of 37.