I am an absolute wimp when it comes to having a sore throat. There is nothing worse in my opinion. Everything tastes awful, drinking feels like you are swallowing razor blades and eating feels like you are swallowing boulders. I am not ashamed to admit that when I feel I have a sore throat coming on, I am straight to the nearest chemist, Boots or Superdrug to pick up some type of throat lozenge.

The last time I had a really sore throat it seemed as though everyone was experiencing the same thing as most of the lozenges were sold out. All except a few packs of these Tunes Blackcurrent Lozenges. I don't overly like blackcurrent in lozenges but these were all there was left so I didn't really have much choice in the matter!

Tunes come in a little box rather than a long packet like Lockets or Soothers (my usual favourites). This particular packet is purple in colour with the familar Tunes logo on the front and a picture of the lozenges sitting on an arrow.

When you get the Tunes out of the box you can smell the blackcurrant coming off of them. It is a really strong smell and if I am honest even though I don't usually like this flavour the smell of it did make me feel a little perkier and a little better. I think it was the sheer thought that one of these little lozenges would sooth the burning feeling in my throat.

The Tunes themselves are rounded like little boiled sweets and they are a deep purple and feel a tiny bit sticky.

Popping on into my mouth I was met with a very bitter taste which actually hurt my throat more than anything. I had managed to miss the fact that these were sugar free. It felt like the taste of the blackcurrant was stabbing at the sore throat. I don't know which was worse to be honest - the sore throat I had or the stabbing at it the Tunes were causing! I do think that although being sugar free is a good thing when you are not well you want something which is a bit sweeter than this. When I was sucking on the Tunes I was also disappointed to find that there was no soothing liquid in the middle once it was broken down.

When sucking on Tunes, they last for a good 10 minutes in your mouth and whilst you are sucking on them you do notice the effect on your throat. My throat did start to feel numb and smoother as the menthol and the blackcurrant started to work. Sadly the effects only last for about 20-30 minutes but that little bit of relief is nice all the same.

If I had the choice I would not purchase Tunes again. I don't find them as soothing as other makes like Soothers and Lockets. You can buy Tunes from supermarkets and chemists and they cost between 70-90p a box. A box should last you a 2 or 3 days depending on how many you take during the day.