A painless and instant procedure has transformed a Biggin Hill grandfather’s life, after he suffered from migraines for 20 years.

Barrington Simner, 72, developed the condition when he was 50, and strong painkillers did nothing to ease his struggle.

However, pioneering treatment, which is only available in the UK at Guy’s and St Thomas’s, helped rid Barrington of the relentless headaches.

The retired pharmacist said: "At one point I was getting a migraine twice a week. They were completely debilitating.

"I would get an excruciating pain in my right eye and I would have to lie down in the dark for a day or two.

"I became very hesitant about socialising or going on holiday in case I got an attack and I was dependent on my wife Frances for support."

The treatment used to help Barrington is called single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS).

It works by placing a portable device at the back of the head for a few seconds before pressing a button to deliver a painless magnetic pulse to the skull.

This stimulates cells in the outer surface of the brain, reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.

Barrington added: "sTMS is the only treatment that has worked for me.

"I’ve massively reduced the amount of painkillers I take. I am now able to volunteer, spend time gardening and enjoy life."

The portable device can be used up to eight times a day.

Dr Anna Andreou, director of headache research at Guy’s and St Thomas’s, said the treatment was "life-changing for many patients".

She added: "The treatment is safe, non-invasive and portable. It works especially well for patients who have not responded sufficiently to previous medications or need to avoid taking certain drugs because they have another health condition.

"At Guy’s and St Thomas’s we are unique in being able to offer this novel treatment and we are very pleased to be able to provide it to migraine sufferers."