Surgery performed by robots is just as successful as operations carried out by surgeons, a major trial has found.

The study of prostate cancer patients found those whose gland was removed by a machine were doing as well after three months as those who went under the knife in the traditional way.

They experienced less pain doing day to day activities a week later, and reported better overall physical quality of life after six weeks, but this levelled out over time.

Those undergoing robot surgery also lost far less blood and spent less time in hospital.

There was no difference in urinary and sexual function, or the number of complications, the research published in the Lancet found.

Robotic surgery has become increasingly common in the UK over the last decade.

Most common is the da Vinci robot, a set of robotic arms controlled by a human surgeon sitting a few feet away.

A high magnification 3D camera allows the surgeon to see inside the patient's body through a keyhole incision.

The camera is attached to one of four arms on the machine - the other three hold other surgical instruments needed during the operation.