PARENTS in Bolton are leading the way in ensuring that their children receive vital vaccinations.

Last year 97 per cent of children aged two received jabs to protect them from polio, tetanus and diphtheria, compared to a national average of 94 per cent.

And more parents in Bolton were opting for their youngsters to be given the controversial MMR vaccine - with 95 per cent of two-year-olds being given the jab, compared to a national average of just 84 per cent.

Bolton is one of only 30 health areas to achieve a take-up rate of more than 90 per cent for the MMR jab out of 256 nationally.

Health protection specialist for Bolton's Primary Care Trust, Graham Munslow, said: "We have been working very hard and are extremely pro-active in promoting the vaccination of children.

"It's testament to the high quality of our staff, who often work in their own time, and have taken part in a lot of training."

In 1998, controversial research claimed the MMR jab, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, was linked to autism and the stomach disorder, Chron's disease.

As a result, many parents were reluctant to allow their children to have the vaccination.

But a review, published last year and compiled by the international charity the Cochrane Collaboration, examined 31 case studies and concluded that the jab was safe.

School and practice nurses in Bolton have had special training in dealing with parents' concerns about the MMR vaccine.

There are 1,000 staff working for the borough's PCT who are trained to immunise children, and they work either from GPs practices or from specialist clinics.

Mr Munslow said: "Our staff sit down with parents and take the time to discuss their concerns with them."