Vaccine for cervical cancer `in 10 years'

A VACCINE designed to prevent cervical cancer could be available within a decade.

Britain's leading cancer charities are so hopeful about the vaccine, which would virtually eliminate the need for smear tests, that they have joined forces to start trials in December. Thirty women recruited in Manchester will take part. The vaccine is being tested on women in Australia and China.

Around 95 per cent of cervical cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus which is sexually transmitted. Researchers claim to have found a way of blocking its spread. Scientists will reveal how they made their breakthrough on BBC1's Tomorrow's World programme tonight .

Cervical cancer kills around 1,500 women a year.