GIRLS in Okehampton are being urged to get armed against cervical cancer by having a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.

Clinics are being run in Okehampton to protect girls from cervical cancer and are open to all girls between the age of 12 and 18 who have yet to begin or complete their HPV vaccination course.

Girls need to have had all three doses of the vaccine to be fully protected against cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccination is generally given in schools, and consists of three injections that are given over a six-month period.

However, NHS Devon is running clinics for girls who, for whatever reason, failed to get a vaccination in school.

Director of public health for NHS Devon, Dr Virginia Pearson, said: 'Cervical cancer is one of the biggest killers of women in their 30s, so I urge all girls to get protected at an early age.

'Infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer.

'Almost one in every 100 women develops cervical cancer and more than 1,000 women die from it each year in the UK.

'It is the most preventable form of cancer, yet it is still the second biggest cancer killer of women aged 30-34 years in the UK.'

All clinics are by appointment only. To book an appointment or for more information, phone NHS Devon's immunisation team on 01392 208469.