Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have made a breakthrough in finding a vaccine for cervical cancer which kills about a quarter of a million women throughout the world every year.

The scientists, in Manchester and Georgia, say trials on animals indicate that it could provide immunity to the virus which is responsible for ninety-five per-cent of cervical cancers in humans.

Trials on humans later this year will also demonstrate whether it might cure existing sufferers of the cancer.

However it is expected to take about ten years of such trails and tests before a final judgement on its effectiveness can be made.