The Wiltshire hospital believes it is the first in Europe to really test the theory on patients.

　　The wine is paid for by the hospital's own charity, not the NHS. It is the idea of heart surgeon Dr William McCrea, who said red wine's antioxidants are the key to its success. "These are the chemicals which stop blood clotting and stop the build up of cholesterol in blood vessels," he said.

　　Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz have the grapes thought to be best at reducing heart problems. The move is a popular one with many patients who say they can feel it doing them good. But the hospital has stressed it will not be encouraging patients with previous alcohol problems to take part.