By DAN NEWLING

Last updated at 22:55 11 January 2008

It is a problem that has taxed mankind since Adam first lay down next to Eve.

How do you cuddle your loved one at night without your arm going numb?

Now, centuries later, the Love Mattress has arrived with an ingenious solution to this quandary.

Though the central portion of the mattress is a single foam block, each end is made up of ten slats which are each three inchs wide.

These part easily from one another, leaving room to slide an arm beneath a partner and leave it there.

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Because their body is supported by the slats on each side of the encircling arm, it should not get squashed, however long it is left there.

The mattress designer says a similar arrangement at the foot of the bed means anyone who is able to tear themselves away from their partner for the night can sleep face-down with their toes pointing down into the mattress and snug between the slats.

The man behind the mattress is award-winning designer Mehdi Mojtabavi.

He says that although it is a very technical design, it also has a power for emotional - and psychological - good. Mr Mojtabavi, an Iranian, writes: "Embracing is a magical human behaviour, and one that distinguishes us from other animals.

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"A loving embrace, especially between partners, is one of the most calming actions. Embracing, and bodily proximity and connection after love-making, are very important for strengthening relationships," Mr Mojtabavi claims.

"However, what usually stops this pleasant state is not mental tiredness, it is physical weakness."

The mattress - which is still at prototype stage - has won a number of awards since it was first made public last year.

However, admirers have pointed out a potential design flaw.

The bed only works if you use special sheets which wrap around each of the individual slats.