Sick of being eaten alive by midges whilst out in the garden or walking the dogs.Tried all the conventional repellents with little success.Any ideas ?

Avon Skin-So-Soft works well

Yes the Avon SSS (green label) works, I have used it in India and in the southern USA!

If you have a Mountain Warehouse store near you they sell a 'natural' insect deterrent based on Pyrethrum which also works well. Look in pet shops for any flea sprays that have Pyrethrum or Pyrethrins as their active ingredient (some of the cheaper ones do) for your dog.

Otherwise it'll have to be something containing Deet for you, which is pretty heavy duty but it does stand up to heavy-duty midges in a way the other products can't.

I'm another Skin so soft fan, I use the body wash and the oil in the summer/autumn. The midgies do still get me though if I'm stupid enough to go near water on a damp and cloudy day or venture out at dusk.