Killer superbugs such as MRSA and c.diff could be wiped out from British hospitals within three years thanks to a pioneering project to develop a bacteria-destroying paint.

Scientists have discovered large doses of the chemicals that give white paint its shiny gloss are capable of killing bacteria, germs and fungi.

Titanium dioxide becomes ''active" and gets ''excited", killing off virtually all known germs including e.coli, MRSA and c.diff when exposed to sun, fluorescent or other ultraviolet light.

The super paint, which is totally harmless to humans, is so effective it can even destroy airborne bacteria up to a few feet away.

Clinical trials have already begun at Cheltenham General Hospital in Gloucestershire and the paint is also being sold to hospitals in Italy. It costs 50p more than the average tin of gloss.

Researchers believe the revolutionary paint, which comes in a range of colours, will become the frontline weapon in the fight against superbugs which kill hundreds of Brits each year.

They hope to roll it out in hospitals, doctors' surgeries, health centres schools, and even airports across the UK by 2011.

The pioneering research was led by Norman Allen, professor of applied sciences and the director of the Materials Science Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Mr Allen said yesterday: "This is potentially the biggest, most exciting thing to happen in the world of chemistry for several decades. There's absolutely no reason why this paint can't be used in hospitals to fight off superbugs.

"What makes this paint so exciting is it is totally safe to humans, is odourless, and can be manufactured for just 50p more per tin than existing brands.

"There is no reason why it couldn't be made on a mass scale in Britain within three years from now. And when it is, there is no reason why it won't spell the end of superbugs."

The paint relies on titanium dioxide, a 'photocatalytic' chemical, which produces an ''active species" such as hydrogen peroxide when exposed to UV light.

For years, tiny grains of titanium dioxide have been used to give white paint its bright finish. Scientists have added particles of nano-titanium which leaps into action when exposed to most kinds of light – including that given off by standard lightbulbs.

Bacterial microbes die when they came into contact with the titanium dioxide compound.

The potent mix of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions killed cells by degrading their outer membranes – effectively cutting them open at the seams.

Tests showed it killed all known germs on contact and reduced the number of airborne particles of bacteria in a room by almost 95 per cent. Biologists have known the element is harmful to bacteria since the mid-1980s, but until now no one knew its true potential.

Following extensive tests since 2000, scientists have proved the substance is potent enough to kill superbugs, and could be used to prevent their spread.

Professor Allen said: "It is very simple but very, very effective."

But he added: "The problem is that we are very slow in this country but it could well signal the end of things like MRSA and e.coli.

''I'm sure it will be used here in the UK eventually, but it's very difficult to get things moving forward."