Health chiefs hope the new initiative will cut cases of cervical cancer by nearly three-quarters in central Lancashire.

The HPV, or human papillomavirus, vaccine is being offered to all 12 and 13-year-olds from the beginning of this month, as part of an on-going programme in schools.

Maya Williams, who was only 27 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, said: "From what I've heard I think it is a brilliant idea - I only wish they'd had it years ago."

News of the vaccine comes a few weeks after it was revealed that former Big Brother star Jade Goody has cervical cancer.

The vaccine protects against the two types of HPV which cause more than 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

Maya, now 30, first noticed something was wrong when she experienced abnormal bleeding patterns in the summer of 2005.

When she was diagnosed, the cancer was so advanced and aggressive that surgeons decided to remove her womb by performing a radical hysterectomy, followed by four weeks of chemotherapy.

The mum-of-two, who has a 10-year-old daughter, said: "When the time comes, I will let my daughter have the vaccine - without a doubt. "

Maggi Morris, director of public health at NHS Central Lancashire, said: "New cases of cervical cancer have been falling for years thanks to the national cervical cancer screening programme.

"The HPV vaccination should ensure the number of women, currently around five, who die each year from cervical cancer in central Lancashire is reduced in the years to come."

For further information on the vaccination programme, visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV or call the national HPV helpline on 0845 602 3303.