A groundbreaking new type of bed net could prevent millions of cases of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, a study has found.

Researchers trialled nets treated with a combination of chemicals – instead of the one variety usually used – among 2,000 children in 91 villages in Burkino Faso over two years.

The study found that there was a 12 per cent fall in malaria cases among children sleeping under the new net, compared with those using conventional ones.

“For a first test, the results are really exciting,” said Professor Steve Lindsay, a vector-borne disease specialist at Durham University and one of the authors of the study.