Scientists at Dundee University yesterday revealed the perfect excuse for bingeing on Easter eggs this weekend. They could help save your life but only the dark chocolate kind.

Research reveals that eating dark chocolate can help prevent blood clots that cause strokes and deep vein thrombosis.

Dr Gwen Kennedy, of the university's department of medicine, said: ''The message this Easter is to go for dark chocolate eggs. We think it could be a way of preventing thromboembolic disease.''

Researchers at the university's department of medicine made the breakthrough after giving volunteers 100g of either dark, white, or milk chocolate.

After tests, they found dark chocolate reduced the clotting power of platelets by as much as 50%. It is thought to be healthier than milk and white chocolate, as it contains high levels of cocoa solids rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that prevent cell damage and reduce the stickiness of platelets.