Schoolgirls are snubbing a vital cancer jab - with as many as half the girls in some east Kent schools failing to get immunised.

Figures just released by the NHS Kent and Medway immunisation teams reveal a significant slump in the numbers signing up for the vaccination against cervical cancer.

Parents with daughters in year eight are urged to return consent forms allowing their child to have the HPV vaccine - which gives increased protection against cervical cancer later in life.

Last year around three quarters of all eligible girls across Kent and Medway signed up for all three doses.

However, this year, that's as low as half in some east Kent schools.

Dr Faiza Khan, consultant in public health with NHS Kent and Medway, said: "We are very concerned about the low numbers of forms being returned by parents.

"More than 1,000 women in the UK die from cervical cancer each year.

"Cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting young women, and is the only one which can be vaccinated against."

Girls need to have three vaccinations for full immunity, with about six months between each vaccination.

Caroline Wetherill, 37, from Canterbury, gave consent immediately for her daughter Abbie.

She said: "I read the leaflet that came with the form and realised how important it was for Abbie to have the vaccination.

"If it's going to protect her from getting cervical cancer in the future then it's definitely worth doing.

"Otherwise it's life playing the lottery with your child's future health."