Jade Goody's cancer screening legacy

The finding was made by a team of researchers from the University of Warwick, who examined coverage of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody's battle against cervical cancer.

Media coverage of celebrity illnesses can have a positive impact on public health by encouraging people to take part in screening programmes, according to an academic.

The finding was made by a team of researchers from the University of Warwick, who examined coverage of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody's battle against cervical cancer.

Published in the Journal of Public Health, the study found the year-on-year increase in the take-up in screening among those aged 25-64 - from 77.85% in 2008 to 78.94% in 2009 - reversed a downward trend stretching back to 2002.

POPE'S VISIT

Protesters opposed to the state visit of the Pope to Britain met one of the most senior figures in the Roman Catholic Church.

The Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Rev Peter Smith, spoke to leaders of the Protest the Pope campaign at Scotland Yard amid concerns that the four-day trip by the pontiff could be disrupted.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Mr Smith said he had been given a "very clear assurance" that the campaigners have "no intention" of disrupting any of the events during the papal visit. Pope Benedict is due to arrive next week on a four-day visit. The Protest the Pope campaign is planning a march and rally in central London on September 18.

CAPTAIN CAMILLA

The Duchess of Cornwall took to the helm of a canal boat and joked: "There's new paintwork, are you sure you trust me with it?"

Camilla travelled along the Kennet and Avon canal towards Semington, Wiltshire, where a new link is being planned between the canal and the River Avon, known as the Melksham Link.

This will also form part of the restored Wilts and Berks Canal.

GIFTS FOR CHARLES

The Prince of Wales was presented with a jar of honey and some homemade chutney on a visit to an inner city farm.

Charles, who was in Newcastle as part of an eco-tour of Britain to look at sustainable initiatives, said he would save the gifts to have as a treat following his Christmas dinner.

He met volunteers at Ouseburn Farm in the city centre, where he opened a new beehive as part of a city wide initiative to boost bees.

BANKSY ARTWORKS

Store bosses have ramped up security after one of Britain's most bankable artists secretly installed two original artworks in a shop.

Graffiti artist Banksy placed the works - a painting on a canvas and another stencilled on a rusty oil can - in a branch of HMV in London's Oxford Street.

Staff had been unaware the artist - whose works sell for tens of thousands of pounds and have been collected by Angelina Jolie and Kate Moss - was leaving his creations. Instead, they had thought a window display of posters were to be placed in the shop to plug a DVD release of Banksy's film Exit Through The Gift Shop.

HIRST SCULPTURE

Major works by Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore will feature in the first major 20th century sculpture exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts for 30 years, it was announced.

Curators are developing a chronological tour to "represent a unique view of the development of British sculpture" for the exhibition next year.

It will challenge visitors' perceptions with contrasting works set side by side, they say. The exhibition will run until April 7.

SEPTEMBER 9 BIRTHDAYS: Tom Wopat, actor, 59; Angela Cartwright, actress, 58; Dave Stewart, musician, 58; Hugh Grant, actor, 50; Adam Sandler, actor and comedian, 44; Julia Sawalha, actress, 42; Henry Thomas, actor (E.T.), 39; Goran Visnjic, actor, 38.