Deer antlers could hold the secret to helping broken bones heal more quickly after scientists discovered they contain chemicals which accelerate the repair process.

When the chemicals were injected into mice, fractures mended in a fraction of the time it normally takes.

Deer antlers are capable of complete regeneration, with males growing a new pair each spring made up of bone, cartilage, blood vessels, nerves and skin.

The NHS deals with more than 500,000 fractures every year and up to one in ten fail to heal properly as bones don't 'knit' together.

Experts at Washington University in the US and Ningbo University, China, extracted the polypeptides from the antlers and injected them into mice with fractured limbs.

Within a week, bones had joined together – it normally takes two or three weeks. And after 21 days, they had healed completely, compared to five weeks usually.

In findings published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation, researchers said deer antlers had been used as a traditional medicine in East Asia 'for thousands of years', adding: 'Our research shows they can accelerate fracture healing by promoting new bone formation.'

Previous studies found the antlers could help fight cancer as they have tumour-suppressing genes, while compounds can protect against Parkinson's disease and ease arthritis.