A new vaccine could cut deaths in the UK from cervical cancer by up to 76 per cent, according to research out today.

The study for the jab Cervarix, sponsored by makers GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), found that deaths from the disease would drop by 76 per cent with 100 per cent coverage. New cases of cervical cancer would also drop by over three-quarters according to the research, presented today at the International Papillomavirus Conference in Prague.

Cervarix works by targeting the two strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause around 70 per cent of all cervical cancers. Researchers used a computer model to predict the outcome of vaccinating all 12-year-old girls in the UK over their lifetime. It found that, across the UK population, 262 women would die each year compared to the current 1,093 deaths.

The number of new cases of the disease in the UK would also drop from 2,841 to 682.

The researchers accepted that 100 per cent coverage was unrealistic, so used the computer to predict alternatives.

With 80 per cent of 12-year-old girls vaccinated, new cases of cervical cancer and deaths would drop by around 61 per cent.

GSK is in fierce competition with rivals Sanofi Pasteur, who are about to see their vaccine, Gardasil, granted a European licence. Cervarix is still being developed and will not reach European approval stage for about another year. Gardasil could be available in the UK within months.

It has recently been approved in the US, Mexico, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, but has caused controversy in the UK over plans to vaccinate girls of nine.

Dr Anne Szarewski, clinical consultant for Cancer Research UK, said: "HPV vaccination offers great promise in terms of reducing the number of cases of cervical cancer and preventing deaths. There are still 3,000 women in the UK who get cervical cancer each year - despite a highly efficient screening programme. The idea of finally being able to prevent cases of cervical cancer with a vaccine is extremely exciting."